Daily GK Updates - 21st May, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Anti-Terrorism Day: 21 May: Today, the nation is paying homage to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 28th death anniversary. The Anti -Terrorism Day is observed on 21st May every year in our country to make the people aware of the anti-social act of terrorism and its impact on human suffering and lives. 0n 21st May 1991 the seventh Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was killed in Tamil Nadu in a campaign by the terrorist and then, V.P. Singh government has decided to observe 21st May as Anti-Terrorism Day. He served as the prime minister from 1984 to 1989.

2. Maharashtra Govt. signs ordinance to bring medical admissions under SEBC quota: C Vidyasagar Rao (Maharashtra Governor) has signed an ordinance to provide quota under the Socially and Economically Backward Class (SEBC) Reservation Act, 2018, to candidates from the Maratha community seeking admission to post-graduate medical and dental courses. The ordinance was issued by the Governor on the recommendation of the state government to protect the admissions of students in the PG courses. The ordinance is aimed to further explain the intent of the state government to provide quota for the Maratha community.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Joko Widodo re-elected as president of Indonesia: Joko Widodo (57-years) has been re-elected as Indonesia's president after last month's vote, beating former general Prabowo Subianto. According to the elections commission, Widodo and his vice-presidential running mate Ma'ruf Amin won the election by a 55.5% to 44.5% margin over Subianto and Sandiaga Uno. On 20 October 2014, Joko Widodo (also known as Jokowi) became the seventh president of Indonesia.

2. Pakistan appoints Mueenul Haq as High Commissioner to India: Pakistan has appointed career diplomat Mueenul Haq (current ambassador to France) as the High Commissioner to India. Earlier, Mr Haq has served as chief of protocol at the Foreign Office. The post of High Commissioner to India fell vacant after Sohail Mehmood was appointed Pakistan's new foreign secretary. Prime Minister Imran Khan approved appointments of over two dozen ambassadors in various countries including India, China and Japan.

3. Volodymyr Zelenskiy takes oath as Ukraine's new President: In Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskiy (41-years) took oath as the country's new President. Mr. Zelenskiy announced the dissolution of the parliament in his speech. Zelinskiy became Ukraine's youngest post-Soviet President after he scored a landslide election victory against incumbent Petro Poroshenko. Mr Zelensky a former television star, acted the part of the Ukrainian president in a popular comedy series. He scored a landslide victory in last month's presidential election.

4. 21st May: World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development: The World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development is observed on 21st May every year. The World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, is an opportunity to help communities understand the value of cultural diversity and learn how to live together in harmony. The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed this holiday due to UNESCO's Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity in November 2001. This day was created as a result of the destruction of the Buddha statues of Bamiyan in Afghanistan in 2001.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Brooks Koepka Returns to World No. 1 after 4th Major Title: Brooks Koepka (of USA) returned to the top of the world rankings after his nerve-jangling second straight US PGA Championship victory at Bethpage Black. The 29-year-old American has now won four major titles in his last eight starts and is the first man to ever hold back-to-back titles in two majors at the same time.

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. Reliance Beats Indian Oil Corporation, Becomes Biggest Indian Company: Reliance Industries has toppled state-owned Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) to become the country’s biggest company by revenue. The Mukesh Ambani-led conglomerate, in the 2018-19 fiscal year that ended March 31, reported a turnover of Rs 6.23 lakh crore. In comparison, IOC posted a turnover of Rs 6.17 lakh crore for the fiscal. 

2. SBI Ties up with FMCG Arm of the Art of Living: The State Bank of India (SBI) has announced a strategic partnership with the FMCG arm of The Art of Living - Sri Sri Tattva. Under this partnership, YONO users can avail a discount of 15% on the entire range of products offered by Sri Sri Tattva such as food, personal care, healthcare, homecare, BYOGI apparels and Shankara skincare products.

3. Ujjivan Small Finance Bank appoints Nitin Chugh as next MD and CEO: Ujjivan Small Finance Bank Limited has appointed Nitin Chugh as the next Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) (from 1st December 2019). Nitin Chugh will join the bank by August 2019 as President and will work closely with Samit Ghosh, existing MD and CEO to ensure a smooth transition. He will take over as the MD and CEO from December 1, 2019, upon the Samit Ghosh's retirement.

Note: Ujjivan Small Finance Bank Limited is a bank licensed under Section 22 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 to carry out small finance bank business in India. Ujjivan Small Finance Bank received Scheduled Bank status from the Reserve Bank of India in August 2017.

AWARDS AND HONOURS

1. Indian Peacekeeper to Be Honoured Posthumously by UN: Police Officer Jitender Kumar, an Indian peacekeeper is among the 119 military, police and civilian personnel will be honoured with a prestigious UN medal 2019 for courage and sacrifice in the line of duty. Police Officer Jitender Kumar made the supreme sacrifice while serving in the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Central African country of Congo. He will be honoured posthumously with the Dag Hammarskjold Medal as the world organisation observes the International Day of UN Peacekeepers. 

2. Kapil Sharma Acknowledged as Most Viewed Stand-up Comedian in India and Abroad: Comedian-actor Kapil Sharma has been acknowledged as the most viewed stand-up comedian in India and abroad by the World Book of Records London. Having started his career as a stand-up comedian, Kapil initially performed on several comedy shows. 

OBITUARIES

1. Three-time Formula 1 World Champion Niki Lauda passes away: Austrians former Formula One driver Niki Lauda (70-years) passed away. Three-time world champion Niki Lauda was hugely admired, respected and liked within F1. He won two titles for Ferrari and one for McLaren. He came back from a horrific accident that left him severely burned and injured in 1976. He competed in 171 races and won 25.