Daily GK Updates - 28th June, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. BSES launches energy saving app: BSES Yamuna Power Ltd launches behavioural energy saving app 'Susthome'. The app was launched as part of its Demand Side Management programme. BSES partners with energy resources institute TERI, Panasonic India and the Council on Energy. Environment and Water to launch the app. The other two initiatives are "Green Division concept and solar micro grids with battery storage". BSES is a Delhi power distribution company. 

2. Maharaja Ranjit Singh honoured on his 180th death anniversary: A statue of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the legendary ruler of Punjab, was unveiled at the Lahore Fort on his 180th death anniversary. Around 500 people crossed the Wagah border to attend the unveiling event. The sculpture is the result of collaboration between Fakir Khana Museum and Sarkar Khalsa Foundation.

3. Nagaland Governor Acharya sworn-in as Additional charge of Manipur: P B Acharya was sworn-in as Governor of Manipur at Raj Bhawan in Imphal, Manipur. The senior most judge of the High Court of Manipur Justice Lanushungkum Jamir administered the oath of office. Nagaland Governor Acharya will serve as Governor of Manipur as an additional charge from today during the absence, on leave, of Dr Najma Heptulla (Governor of Manipur). Dr Najma Heptulla will be on leave for a month.

Note: Chief minister of Manipur: N. Biren Singh ; Capital of Manipur: Imphal.

4. Justice PK Saikia sworn-in as Arunachal Lokayukta chief: Justice Prasanta Kumar Saikia (Retired) has been sworn in as the Chairperson of the Lokayukta in Arunachal Pradesh.

Governor Brig (Retd) Dr B D Mishra administered the oath of office to Justice Saikia at a function held in the Raj Bhavan in Itanagar. Retired IAS officer Mr. Yeshi Tsering was sworn in as Member of the Lokayukta.

5. Singhey Khababs Sindhu Festivals being celebrated in Leh: J&K Governor Sayta Pal Malik has inaugurated the ‘Sighey khababs Sindhu Festivals’ on the bank of ‘Indus River’ in Leh at the Ladakh Region of Jammu and Kashmir. The festival is celebrated every year to attract tourists to Ladakh by presenting the Indus River as a symbol of the cultural identity of India. The main attraction of the festival is local Folk songs and dances, exhibitions of handicrafts, and ethnic food items.

6. 81,03196 houses approved under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana scheme: Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Scheme, A total of 81 lack 3 thousand 196 houses have been approved so far from the states and Union Territories. This was informed by Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, Hardeep Singh Puri in the Lok Sabha. 47 lakh 57 thousand 987 houses are at various stages of construction and 26 lakh 7 thousand 913 have been completed or occupied.

The union Government assistance of Rs. 51,113 crores have so far been released under the PMAY(U).

Note: Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (PMAY) was launched in June 2015 with an aim to provide affordable housing in urban poor. Under PMAY, it is proposed to build 2 crore houses for urban poor including Economically Weaker Sections and Low-Income Groups (LIG) in urban areas by the year 2022 through the financial assistance of Rs. 2 trillion (USD- 29 billion) from central government.

7. Lok Sabha passes Homeopathy Central Council Amendment Bill: The Lok Sabha (LS) has passed the Homoeopathy Central Council (Amendment) Bill, 2019 which seeks to extend the period for reconstitution of the Central Council from existing period of one year to two years.

Now, the tenure of the Board of Governors may be extended for a further period of one year (from 17th May 2019.). The bill will help the Central Council of Homoeopathy in exercising the powers and performing functions of the Council. According to Minister of AYUSH, Shripad Yesso Naik, the bill will replace the ordinance promulgated earlier and will also prevent the opening of substandard courses in homoeopathy colleges.

8. 58 Railway stations of NE Frontier Railway provided with free Wi-Fi services: As many as 58 railway stations of North East Frontier Railway have been provided with free Wi-Fi services for the passenger. Free Wi-Fi services to passengers are being provided under ‘RailWire’ brand- the retail Broadband initiative of RailTel. The Northeast Frontier Railway is one of the 18 railway zones in India, Headquartered in Maligaon, Guwahati. In May, the total number of user logins at the Wi-Fi enabled stations was 2.35 crore in 1600 stations across India. Inspired by the vision of Digital India, Indian Railways and RailTel created a plan to transform stations into digital inclusion platform by providing fast free public Wi-Fi at stations.

Note: The railways' bid to provide access to free Wi-Fi at stations began from Mumbai Central in January 2016. RailWire WiFi will be available to any user who has a smartphone with a working mobile connection.

9. ‘Go Tribal campaign’ launched in New Delhi: The Union government has launched the Go Tribal Campaign in New Delhi to promote the use of tribal handicrafts and natural products. According to the Tribal Affairs Ministry, TRIFED has organized this event to institutionalize collaborations and partnerships with different organizations to promote tribal products. During the event, Tribes India and Amazon Global Marketing will launch TRIBES India products globally through Amazon platform. With this collaboration, tribal products will be available in the US and will help establish an export market with tribal products. The collection of Madua, Jowaer, Bazra, Red Rice, Honey, Lac products, Spices, Coffee, Tea and Handmade Soaps produced by Tribals in various parts of the country will also be showcased.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. SAI withdraws controversial order to ban parents, coaches from shooting range: The Sports Authority of India (SAI) withdrew its controversial circular to ban parents and personal coaches of shooters from the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi during practice. Recently, an order issued by the authorities at the shooting range restricted the movement of parents and coaches inside the range, leading to a controversy. As per international guidelines, they will, however, be not allowed on Field of Play.

2. Marcus Trescothick to retire from professional cricket: Former England batsman Marcus Trescothick is to retire from professional cricket. Trescothick, 43, played 76 Tests for England between 2000 and 2006 and scored 5,825 runs at an average of 43.79.

3. Virat Kohli becomes the fastest batsman to score 20,000 runs: India captain Virat Kohli (417- innings) has become the fastest batsman to reach 20,000 international runs. Virat Kohli (131 in Tests, 223 in ODIs and 62T20I) broke Sachin Tendulkar (453 innings) and Brian Lara's (453 innings) record to become the fastest to 20,000 international runs. Now, Virat Kohli became the 12th batsman and 3rd Indian batsman after Sachin Tendulkar (34,357 runs) and Rahul Dravid (24,208 runs) to reach 20,000 International runs. Virat Kohli has already become the fastest to score 11,000 ODI runs.

AWARDS AND HONOURS

1. Indian woman crowned Miss Universe Australia: India born Priya Serrao has won the Miss Universe Australia title for 2019. Western Australia’s Bella Kasimba and another Victorian Marijana Radmanovic rounded out 2019’s top three, placing second and third.

Note: Australia Capital: Canberra, Currency: Australian Dollar.

2. Mumbai in top 20 most expensive cities in Asia for expatriates: Mercer has released 25th Annual Cost of Living Survey. Some findings of the survey: The costliest city in the world for the second consecutive year is Hong Kong followed by Tokyo, Singapore and Seoul. Mumbai fell 12 spots and was ranked at the 67th position out of 209 cities surveyed. Eight out of the top ten of the world's most expensive cities for expatriates are Asian. The world's least expensive cities for expatriates are Tunis (209), Tashkent (208), and Karachi (207).

DEFENCE

1. Nuclear-capable missile Prithvi II successfully test-fired: India successfully test-fired indigenously developed nuclear-capable missile Prithvi-II as part of a user trial by the Indian Army from a test range off the Odisha coast. It was carried out from a mobile launcher from Launch Complex-III of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur. The surface-to-surface missile has a strike range of 350 km. The missile can carry 500 to 1000 kg of warheads and is powered by liquid propulsion twin engines. Prithvi-II was also successfully test-fired on 21st February, last year from the ITR at Chandipur.

OBITUARIES

1. Eminent Gandhian Jharna Dhara Chowdhury Passes Away: Jharna Dhara Chowdhury, an Eminent Social Activist and secretary of the Gandhi Ashram Trust in Jayag, Noakhali, Bangladesh passes away in Dhaka. She devoted her whole life to promoting peace, communal harmony and social justice. In recognition of her work, she was honored with Padma Shri in 2013. She was awarded Jamnalal Bajaj award in 1998.

Note: Bangladesh Capital: Dhaka, Currency: Taka, PM: Sheikh Hasina.

2. Former Bengal cricketer Shyam Sundar Mitra passes away: Former Bengal cricketer Shyam Sundar Mitra passes away . He was awarded the Karthick Bose Lifetime Achievement Award by Cricket Association of Bengal. Mitra, who captained Bengal in the Ranji Trophy, was an elegant right hand batsman and a part-time medium pacer.

3. Freedom fighter Mohammed Baji passes away: Eminent freedom fighter Mohammad Baji (103-years) passed away at his residence at Sunari Sahi in Nabarangpur District of Odisha.

He was a close associate of tribal civil rights activist Laxman Nayak. He joined the Indian National Congress (in 1936) and Quit India Movement on 19th August 1942. Baji was injured in police firing during the 1942 movement when 29 tribal killed while protesting before the Mathili police station in Malkangiri district. He spent nearly five years in jail before he was released on June 25, 1947. After the freedom struggle, Baji was active in the Sarvodaya movement. He was the chairman of Utkal Gandhi Smarak Nidhi and a close associate of Utkal Sarvodaya Mandal.