Daily GK Updates - 30th January, 2020

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. World’s biggest meditation centre in Hyderabad: The World’s largest meditation centre was inaugurated at Kanha Shanti Vanam in Hyderabad, Telangana. This centre is built to mark the 75th anniversary of the formation of Shri Ram Chandra Mission (SRCM) and Heartfulness Institute. The centre is dedicated to the first guide of Heartfulness Lalaji Maharaji. The centre that can accommodate one lakh meditation practitioners at a time was unveiled in the presence of Yoga guru Baba Ramdev and other dignitaries.

Note: Chief Minister of Telangana: K. Chandrashekar Rao; Governor: Tamilisai Soundararajan.

2. Surajkund Mela 2020: The 34th edition of the annual Surajkund International Crafts Mela, the largest crafts fair in the world will be held from 1st February to 16th February 2020 at Surajkund, District Faridabad, Haryana. President Ram Nath Kovind will inaugurate the mela. The fair aims to showcase the unique richness and diversity of the handicrafts, handlooms and cultural fabric of India. Theme State for the Year 2020: Himachal Pradesh. Partner Nation for the Year 2020: Uzbekistan. The Mela is organized by the Surajkund Mela Authority & Haryana Tourism in collaboration with Union Ministries of Tourism, Textiles, Culture and External Affairs. About 20 countries & all the states of India will be participating in the Mela.

Note: Haryana Chief Minister: Manohar Lal Khattar; Governor: Satyadeo Narayan Arya.

3. World Sustainable Development Summit 2020 Begins in New Delhi: The World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS) 2020 is being held in New Delhi from 29 to 31 January 2020. The theme of the 2020 edition of the Summit is ‘Towards 2030 Goals: Making the Decade Count’. SDS is the annual flagship event of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), being organized since 2001 to provide an international platform to facilitate the exchange of knowledge on all aspects of sustainable development. In its 2020 edition, the Summit will be addressing the broad themes of- circular economy, water, energy, industry transitions, and e-mobility.

Note: Director-General of TERI: Dr Ajay Mathur; Headquarters of TERI: New Delhi; Founded of TERI: 1974; Founder of TERI: Darbari S Seth.

4. SC allows centre to introduce African cheetah to suitable wildlife habitat in India: The Supreme Court (SC) allowed the Centre to introduce the African cheetah to suitable habitat in India. The apex Court's decision followed a petition filed by National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) seeking permission for the introduction of the African cheetah as rare Indian cheetah is almost extinct in the country. The government's plan is to import the Cheetah from African countries like Namibia and reintroduce them in India.

5. 16th Mumbai International Film Festival begins: The 16th Mumbai International Film Festival-2020 for Documentary, Short Fiction and Animation films), inaugurated at Nehru Centre Auditorium, Worli, Mumbai. The oldest and largest film festival for non-feature films in South Asia, which began in 1990, is organized by the Films Division, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, and Government of India.

6. Martyrs' Day 2020: Martyrs' Day is celebrated every year on January 30 and March 23 to pay homage to the victims who fought for the freedom of India. On January 30, 1948, the Father of Nation, Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated at Birla House, New Delhi. So, the Government of India announced the day as Martyr's Day. March 23 is also celebrated as Martyr's Day because on this day Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev were hanged by the British.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Brexit deal approved by the European Parliament: The European Parliament overwhelmingly approved Britain’s departure terms from the EU.  The vote was 621 to 49 in favour of the Brexit deal that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson negotiated with the other 27 EU leaders. Britain is the first country to leave the EU. With this its members reduced to 27. The EU Parliament backed Britain’s departure in the wake of the country’s vote to leave in a referendum in June 2016.

Note: European Union Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium; European Union Founded: 1 November 1993.

2. NTPC engaged as PMC by Togo for 300 MW solar projects: African country Togo has appointed NTPC as its project management consultant (PMC) for about 300 MW of solar power projects. Togo has identified 2 different plots of land- one each of 70 and 500 acres in Dapaong & Mango that will combine to produce 283 MW. With this, Togo becomes the 1st ISA nation to get the services of NTPC. NTPC will undertake various activities for the selection of the Solar Project Developers on a competitive basis.

3. Nepal Sets Guinness World Record for Highest Altitude Fashion Show Event: Nepal has created a new Guinness World Record for the highest altitude fashion show event ever held.  The Mount Everest Fashion Runway was held at the 5340 metres (17515 ft) elevation at Kala Patthar, near the Everest base camp. The event was organized by RB Diamonds and KASA Style in support of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), as a part of the Visit Nepal Year 2020 campaign of NTB. 18 supermodels from 10 different countries including Finland, Italy, Sri Lanka and Singapore walked the ramp to create history. The fashion gala aimed to raise awareness about climate change as well as to promote sustainable fashion.

Note: Nepal Prime minister: KP Sharma Oli; President: Bidhya Devi Bhandari; Capital: Kathmandu; Currency: Nepalese rupee.

4. World Leprosy Day 2020: 30 January: World Leprosy Day is observed around the world on the last Sunday of January every year to raise global awareness of this deadly ancient disease and call attention to the fact that it can be prevented, treated and cured. This year World Leprosy Day 2020 fall on 26 January 2020. But in India, World Leprosy Day is celebrated on the 30th January each year to coincide with the death of Mahatma Gandhi, who passed away on that day in 1948. This year’s theme 2020: “Leprosy isn’t what you think”.

Note: The day was initiated in 1954 by French philanthropist and writer, Raoul Follereau, as a tribute to the life of the Mahatma Gandhi who had compassion for people afflicted with leprosy.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Indian Cyclist Esow Alben Wins gold in men’s Keirin individual event: In Cycling, India’s Esow Alben has bagged a gold in the men’s Keirin individual event of the Six Day Berlin Track Cycling Tournament. The 18-year-old finished on top of the podium after defeating Czech Republic’s Tomas Babek, while Maximilian Lev of Germany won bronze. The Six Days of Berlin is a six-day track cycling race held annually in Berlin, Germany.

Note: Capital of Germany: Berlin, Currency of Germany: Euro; Chancellor of Germany: Angela Merkel.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

1. BSE signs licensing agreement with ICE Futures Europe: The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) has signed a licensing agreement with Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) Futures Europe. Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) Futures Europe is an operator of global exchanges and clearinghouses.

Note: Managing Director and CEO of BSE: Ashish Kumar Chauhan; Chairman of Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE): Vikramajit Sen; BSE Established: Mumbai, Maharashtra; Founded: 9 July 1875.

AWARDS AND HONOURS

1. Nobel Laureate Abhijit Banerjee conferred D.Lit degree by Calcutta University: Nobel laureate Abhijit Vinayak Banerjee conferred the honorary Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.) by Calcutta University at its annual convocation in Kolkata. The Vice-Chancellor of the University Ms Sonali Chakraborty Banerjee presented the Degree to him. Banerjee, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in 2019 along with two others for “their experimental approach to alleviating global poverty”, is one of the directors of Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) which he had founded in 2003.

DEFENCE

1. Assam Rifles Builds War Memorial in Nagaland to Honor 357 Martyrs: The Assam Rifles has constructed a combined war memorial in Nagaland for the 357 Army and Assam Rifles personnel killed while fighting insurgency in the northeastern state of Nagaland. The memorial named as “Veer Samriti”, is spread over 13,500 sq ft and was built by 44 Assam Rifles at Mokokchung, the Assam Rifles Battalion location in Nagaland. Since 1955 Nagaland has seen in-numerous insurgency, taking lives of 357 personnel from the Army and Assam Rifles. The names of all the 357 martyrs have been carved on a single granite stone each.

Note: DG of Assam Rifles: Lt Gen Sukhdeep Sangwan; The Assam Rifles came into being in 1835.

2. Indian Coast Guard commissions’ high speed interceptor boat: Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has commissioned a high-speed interceptor boat C-448 in Mangaluru, Karnataka on January 29. The water-jet-propelled vessel will be deployed for patrolling and rescue operations. It has an endurance of 500 nautical miles at 20 knots and is capable of doing speeds of up to 45 knots. This interceptor boat built by L&T shipyard will have a crew of 12 and is commanded by Assistant Commandant Apoorva Sharma.

Note: Indian Coast Guard founded: 18 August 1978; Headquarters: New Delhi