Daily GK Updates - 3rd February, 2020

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. YSR Pension Kanuka doorstep pension scheme launched in AP: Adhra Pradesh Government has initiated a doorstep pension delivery schemeYSR Pension Kanuka across the state, under which, various welfare pensions is being delivered at the doorstep of the pensioners. Also, the age for old age pensioners (OAP) has been reduced from 65 to 60 years. The Disabled Pensions (DP) will be Rs 3,000 per month, while the CKDU/Dialysis Pensions will receive Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 per month.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Mohammad Allawi named as new PM of Iraq: The President of Iraq Barham Saleh has named former Communication Minister, Mohammad Allawi as the country’s new Prime Minister. The 65-year-old succeeds Adel Abdel Mahdi, who resigned November 2019 due to anti-government protests. He would run the country until early elections are held.

Note: Capital of Iraq: Baghdad; Currency of Iraq: Iraqi dinar.

02. Ajay Bisaria appointed India's next High Commissioner to Canada: Ajay Bisaria, a 1987 batch IFS officer, has been appointed as the next High Commissioner of India to Canada. Currently, he is India’s High Commissioner to Pakistan. Bisaria will succeed Vikas Swarup, who has been appointed as the Secretary (West) at the Ministry of External Affairs.

Note: Union Minister of External Affairs:  Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.

3. E-Visas for travel from China to India suspended: Travel to India on E-visas from China suspended with immediate effect, Due to certain current developments. This applies to holders of Chinese passports and applicants of other nationalities residing in the People’s Republic of China. All those who have a compelling reason to visit India may contact the Embassy of India in Beijing or the Indian consulates in Shanghai or Guangzhou, as well as the Indian Visa Application Centres in these cities.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Adarsh, Shreya win double titles at National Shooting trials: Adarsh Singh (from Haryana) and Shreya Agrawal (from Madhya Pradesh) won double titles at the ongoing national trials for rifle and pistol disciplines in Thiruvananthapuram. Tokyo Olympics quota winner Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar also won the men's 50 metres rifle 3 positions T2 trial to continue his good form in the competition.

2. Anjali Saraogi and Awadh Yadav wins Kolkata Full Marathon 2020: Lucknow-based runner Awadh Narayan Yadav and Anjali Saraogi from Kolkata has clinched the top honours in the Kolkata Full Marathon 2020 in men’s and women’s categories respectively on 2nd February 2020.  Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar was the brand ambassador of the IDBI Federal Life Insurance Kolkata Full Marathon 2020. Anjali Saraogi clocked 3:24.02 to win the title for the third consecutive year, and in the process became the first runner to clinch a hat-trick of titles at the Kolkata Full Marathon. Awadh clocked a timing of 2 hours, 30 minutes and 30 seconds.

Note: The annual Kolkata Full Marathon 2020 was held in four different categories including the Full Marathon, Half Marathon, Timed 10k Run and the 5k Fun Run and over 12,000 runners participated in the event from across the country.

3. NADA Suspends Weightlifter Ramshad AR for 2 Years and Wrestler Ravinder Kumar for 4 Years: The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) has suspended weightlifter Ramshad AR for a period of 2 years after being found guilty of violating the anti-doping rule. Ramshad, winner of silver medal in the National Weightlifting Championship was found guilty of inhaling a prohibited substance by the NADA. In addition to this, NADA has also banned Indian wrestler Ravinder Kumar for 4 years for failing a dope test.

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. ICICI Bank Launches a unique self-service delivery facility ‘iBox’: The private lender ICICI Bank has launched a first-of-its-kind, unique self-service delivery facility, called ‘iBox’, that will enable its customers to collect their deliverables such as debit card, credit card, cheque book and returned-cheques, in a hassle free manner, anytime any day. This facility is especially useful for customers who are not available at home to receive their package during working hours. The Bank has introduced the iBox facility at over 50 branches in 17 cities in the country. The ‘iBox’ terminals have been stationed outside the premises of the Bank’s branches and are accessible beyond the official hours.

What is iBox? The unique facility is equipped with an OTP based authentication system and can be accessed by customers using their registered mobile number 24X7. The customer needs to visit the ‘iBox’, enter his/her registered mobile number and submit the OTP or show the QR code to open the box and access the package. The deliverable stays in the ‘iBox’ for seven days during which the customer can collect at any time of the day.

2. BoB signed pact with CARE Ratings to assess the credit quality of SMEs: Bank of Baroda (BoB) has partnered with Care Ratings for assessing the credit quality of small and medium enterprises (SME) customers. This partnership will help to grade the credit quality of the bank’s current and prospective SME customers by processing and analyzing structured, unstructured and new data streams.

3. R A Sankara Narayanan, MD & CEO of Canara Bank Retires: R A Sankara Narayanan, the Managing Director and CEO of public sector lender Canara Bank has retired from the post, upon his superannuation. He took charge as MD & CEO of Canara Bank on 15 April 2019.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

1. Abidali Neemuchwala Steps Down as CEO and MD of Wipro: The chief executive officer (CEO) and managing director (MD) of Wipro, Abidali Z Neemuchwala has quit the post, giving “family commitments” as the reason behind the decision. The 52-year-old will continue to hold office until a successor is appointed. Neemuchwala joined Bengaluru-based Wipro in April 2015 as the President and Chief Operating Officer (COO).

AWARDS AND HONOURS

1. Waheeda Rehman to be Conferred Kishore Kumar Samman for 2017-18: Veteran yesteryear actor Waheeda Rehman will be conferred the Madhya Pradesh government’s National Kishore Kumar Samman for the year 2017-18 on 4th February 2020 at her residence in Mumbai. The award carries cash prize of Rs 2 lakh and citation and is presented for outstanding achievement in cinema. The 82-year-old actor was to be presented the prestigious honour on 13 October 2019, coinciding with the death anniversary of singing legend Kishore Kumar, but could not be given as the actor was unwell.

Note: Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh: Kamal Nath; Governor of Madhya Pradesh: Lal Ji Tandon.

OBITUARIES

1. Eminent Punjabi novelist Dalip Kaur Tiwana passed away: Padma Shri awardee and renowned Punjabi novelist, Dalip Kaur Tiwana (84-years) passed away due to old age ailments.

She was well known for novels ‘Teeli da Nishaan’ and ‘Sooraj te Samandar’. She was also a former president of the Punjabi Sahit Akademi.