Daily GK Updates - 8th August, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Rajya Sabha clears Bill for more judges in Supreme Court: The Rajya Sabha has passed a Bill for more judges in Supreme Court. The bill proposed an increase in the sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court from 30 to 33 judges.

2. Andhra Pradesh government will launch Navodayam scheme: The Andhra Pradesh government will launch the Navodayam scheme. The scheme is a complete outreach programme for thousands of ailing Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the state. Navodayam will provide a lifeline to stressed MSMEs by ensuring that all eligible units are permitted for the one-time restructuring of accounts up to March 31, 2020. About 86,000 MSMEs in the state have been identified for restructuring under Navodayam with an outlay of Rs 3,900 crore.

3. Rajasthan launches new higher education model: Minister of State for Higher Education Bhanwar Singh Bhati inaugurated the new higher education model, titled Resource Assistance for Colleges with Excellence (RACE) in Rajasthan. This model has been launched for distribution of faculties and movable assets among the government colleges at the district level to rationalise the availability of resources.The model will create a pool for sharing of facilities which will benefit the colleges lacking infrastructure.

Note: Rajasthan CM: Ashok Gehlot; Governor: Kalyan Singh; Capital: Jaipur.

4. Union Minister of Information & Broadcasting launches e-Rozgar Samachar: Union Minister of Information & Broadcasting has launched e-Rozgar Samachar. Rozgar Samachar is the corresponding version of Employment News (English). It has been launched with a view to make aspirants aware of job opportunities in government sector including public sector enterprises. It will also provide information and guidance about admission and career opportunities in various streams through career-oriented articles by experts. It is expected to meet the emerging challenge of young readers switching to electronic modes of communication. Employment News is the flagship weekly job journal from Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India.

5. IIT Madras partners with NIOT to harness electricity from ocean waves: The Indian Institute of Technology Madras partnered with National Institute of Ocean Technology to harness electricity from ocean waves. Both institutions will together develop turbines that can harness the power of ocean waves to generate electricity. The research is being headed at IIT Madras. The partnership is aimed at meeting renewable energy and climate change objectives of the government of India.

6. Odisha police station in top 10 in India: Tarava police station in the Subarnapur district of Odisha has been adjudged as one of the 10 best police stations in India in the annual ranking for the year 2018. The certificate of excellence and a trophy awarded by the Union Home Ministry were handed over to Tarava police inspector Dulamani Bhoi by Odisha DGP R.P. Sharma.

7. India observes 77th anniversary of Quit India movement: The 77th anniversary of the August Kranti Din or Quit India Movement, which is considered as one of the important milestones in the history of freedom struggle of our country, is being observed on 8th August. On this date in 8 Aug 1942, Mahatma Gandhi gave a clarion call to end the British ruleand launched the Quit India Movement at the session of the All-India Congress Committee in Mumbai.  After the failure of Cripps Mission, Gandhiji gave the call to "Do or Die" in his Quit India speech delivered at the Gowalia Tank Maidan in Mumbai. The grateful country is paying homage to the freedom fighters and remembering the supreme sacrifices of the martyrs during the freedom struggle.

8. Kandikuppa Sreekant becomes Power Grid CMD: Kandikuppa Sreekant has been appointed as chairman and managing director of the State-owned Power Grid Corporation of India. Previously he was working as Director (Finance) in the Power Grid Corporation. According Ministry of Power order, the tenure of Kandikuppa Sreekant will be till December 31, 2023.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. UNIDO and NISE to partner for skill development program: The National Institute of Solar Energy and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization have signed an agreement to initiate a skill development programme for different levels of beneficiaries in the solar thermal energy sector. NISE and UNIDO will engage national and international experts to bring the best practices by developing specialized training material.

2. UP Govt extends bilateral agreements with Netherlands till 2024: The Uttar Pradesh government has extended bilateral agreements with Netherlands till 2024. The previously inked MoUs sought cooperation and exchange of the knowledgeand techniques in the fields of solid waste management, spatial planning, water management including restoration of water bodies and mobility planning.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Diego forlan announces retirement from professional football: Legendary Uruguay striker Diego Forlan has announced his retirement from professional football. He had won the Golden Ball award after being adjudged the best player of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Forlan made 112 appearances for Uruguay and scored 36 goals. He also helped his side to win the Copa America title in 2011 and finished 4th in the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He was the joint top scorer of the 2010 tournament and also won the ‘Goal of the Tournament’ award.

2. Serena Williams tops Forbes list of best-paid female athletes: Serena Williams topped the List Of Highest-Paid Female Athletes 2019 published by Forbes. She has topped the annual list for a 4th consecutive year with estimated total earnings of $29.2 million. Japan’s Naomi Osaka was 2nd on the list with earnings of ($24.3 million). Indian badminton player P.V. Sindhu came in tied for 13th ($5.5 million), with Thai golfer Ariya Jutanugarn ($5.3 million) rounding out the top 15 of Forbes list of best-paid female athletes.

3. Mary Kom, Lovlina Borgohain selected for world boxing C’ships: Six-time world champion M C Mary Kom and Lovlina Borgohain have been selected for the upcoming women’s world boxing championships to be held in Russia from 3 to 13 October. The 36-year-old Mary Kom, who has already claimed two gold medals this year India Open and a recent tournament in Indonesia, has been selected in the 51kg category. While World and Asian bronze-medallist Borgohain will be competing in the 69kg category.

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. LIC launches new term insurance plan 'Jeevan Amar':  Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India has launched a new term insurance plan called 'Jeevan Amar'. It is a non-linked, nonparticipating, life term assurance plan and offers greater flexibility to policyholders in comparison to other insurance plans. In this plan policyholder cannot claim the amount on maturity. The nominee will receive the death claim in case of demise of the life assured during the term of the policy. The plan is available for ages 18-65 years with the maximum age maturity at 80 years offering policy terms from 10 years to a maximum of 40 years.

2. Bancassurance pact between SBI Life and Indian Bank: SBI Life Insurance and Indian Bank have entered into a Bancassurance pact to offer holistic financial planning solutions to the banks customers. SBI Life will work with Indian Bank to ensure sales training, product support and smooth operational processes in order to offer life insurance policies to its customers. Indian Bank’s customers will have access to an array of life insurance products from SBI Life catering to varied life stage needs of the customer. With Indian Bank’s widespread presence and SBI Life’s extensive product portfolio, this partnership will ensure easier accessibility of life insurance to consumers.

Note: MD & CEO of Indian Bank: Padmaja Chunduru;  MD & CEO, SBI Life Insurance: Sanjeev Nautiyal

3. Mastercard launches identity check express to secure online transactions: Mastercard announced the launch of Identity Check Express, a next-generation, mobile-first authentication solution that aims to redefine the e-commerce journey for Indian consumers. Mastercard Identity Check Express combines the latest technology, including device intelligence and behavioural biometrics, with the latest EMV 3-D Secure and FIDO authentication standards to deliver an uninterrupted mobile payment experience.

Note: President and Chief Executive Officer of Mastercard: Ajay Banga.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

1. Bengaluru based startup Grexter Living acquires i2Stay: Bengaluru based Housing startup "Grexter Living" which is a co-living provider, has acquired i2Stay. It has also taken over some built-to-suit projects which i2stay has been working on. Post the acquisition, CEO of i2stay, Rajasekhar Gowreneni, will join Grexter Living as the managing partner for South India.

AWARDS AND HONOURS

1. Naaz Joshi Wins Miss World Diversity Title third time in a row: India’s transsexual women Naaz Joshi wins the Miss World Diversity beauty pageant 2019 for third consecutive year. The transsexual beauty has won the title in 2017 and 2018 as well to become the first person ever to win the title for three consecutive years. This beauty contest was held in Port Louis, Mauritius. She has also been crowned as Miss Republic International Beauty Ambassador 2017 and Miss United Nationals Ambassador.

2. ISRO announces Vikram Sarabhai Journalism Award in space science, technology and research: As part of centenary year celebrations of Dr Vikram Sarabhai the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced two categories of awards in journalism. The first category holds a cash price of Rs 5,00,000, a medal and citation and two journalists or freelancers of print media will be awarded. The second category of the award holds 3 cash prizes of Rs 3,00,000, 2,00,000 and 1,00,000 and citation each for journalists or freelancers of print media. “Vikram Sarabhai Journalism Award in Space Science, Technology and Research” is to recognise and reward journalists who have actively contributed towards the field of space science, applications, and research. Dr Vikram Sarabhai is regarded as the father of Indian space programme.

OBITUARIES

1. WWE’s ‘King of the Ring’ Harley Race passes away: WWE’s professional wrestler, Harley Race (76) passed away due to lung cancer. He became a mainstay of the wrestling circuit, winning numerous individual and tag-team titles in the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s.

2. Veteran Film Director J Om Prakash passes away: Bollywood veteran director and actor Hrithik Roshan's grandfather, J Om Prakash (93 yrs), passed away. He is best known for his collaboration with two of Bollywood biggest superstars - the late Rajesh Khanna and Jeetendra. He is best known for his films "Aap Ki Kasam" (1974), "Apnapan" (1977), "Aasha" (1980), "Apna Bana Lo" (1982), "Arpan" (1983) "Aakhir Kyon?" (1985) and "Aadmi Khilona Hai" (1993).