Daily GK Updates - 2nd March, 2020

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. World Productivity Congress 2020 to be held in Bengaluru in May: The 19th edition of the World Productivity Congress (WPC) is scheduled to be held in Bengaluru from May 6 to May 8, 2020. World Productivity Congress is the world’s largest convention for productivity development that shape future productivity growth. The theme of 19th World Productivity Congress is “Industry 4.0 – Innovation and Productivity”. The theme represents the Fourth Industrial Revolution that amalgamates the capabilities of humans and machines. The mega future-shaping convention is organised by Montreal headquartered World Confederation of Productivity Science (WCPS) since 1969. India is hosting the conference after a gap of 45 years. Before this, the country hosted the WPC in the year 1974.

2. Amit Shah inaugurates the campus of NSG Regional Hub at Kolkata: Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the National Security Guard (NSG) Regional Hub campus at Kolkata, West Bengal. It aims to provide adequate facilities to the brave NSG jawans. NSG also referred to as "The Black cats", combats terrorist activities with a view to protecting states against internal disturbances. It functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

3. Tourism Minister launches Incredible India website in New Delhi: The Minister of State (IC) for Tourism & Culture, Shri Prahlad Singh Patel has launched the multilingual Incredible India website in New Delhi. Incredible India website is a promotional website with an aim to project India as a ‘must-visit’ destination across the globe. Now, the website comprises of a plethora of information around 165 destinations, 2700+ pages, 28 States + 9 UTs along with multiple attractions.

4. AAI & Tripura Govt sign MoU for construction of equipment hiring centers: Airport Authority of India & Tripura State Government has signed a memorandum of understanding for the construction of 6 equipment hiring centres in Manu Block under the Dhalai District, Tripura. The project has been taken by the Airport Authority as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility scheme. The equipment hiring centres, equipment related to agriculture, animal husbandry and fisheries will be kept. The types of equipment will be rented out to the needy farmers, Self Help Groups and to any other needy at a minimal cost. The project will be benefited to 6000 families.

Note: The Chairman of Airport Authority of India: Arvind Singh; Headquarters of Airport Authority of India: New Delhi.

5. ISHRAE organizes ACREX India 2020 in Greater Noida: Indian Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers has organized “ACREX India 2020” at India Expo Mart Limited, Greater Noida. “ACREX India 2020” is largest exhibition of South Asia on Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC) Industry. This was the 21st edition of the exhibition which was witnessed by visitors from over 25 countries. The 21st edition of the exhibition focuses on indoor air quality, sustainable buildings and HVAC technology. The exhibition also acted as a valuable stage for all players which are connected to the HVAC industry. A live exhibit titled “Shudh Vaayu Deergh Aayu” (Trans: Clean air, Long life) was also exhibited with regard to indoor air quality and clean air.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Afghanistan's Taliban, US sign agreement aimed at ending war: US officials and Taliban representatives have signed an agreement after months of negotiations in Doha that is aimed at ending the United States's longest war, fought in Afghanistan since 2001. The US and NATO troops would withdraw from Afghanistan within 14 months. About 14,000 US troops and approximately 17,000 troops from 39 NATO allies and partner countries are stationed in Afghanistan in a non-combatant role.

2. Training of Nepal’s Judicial Officers begins in India: The Judicial Officers from Supreme Court of Nepal has started their training programme at the National Law University, Jodhpur in Rajasthan. The first batch of 30 Judicial Officers will be trained on “Case Management and Court Management”. The course on “Case Management and Court Management” tailored for the Nepalese judicial officers is fully backed by the Government of India under Ministry of External Affairs’ Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme.

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

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. 2020 Asia Cup Cricket Tournament Shifted from Pakistan to Dubai: The 15th edition of the biennial event of 2020 Asia Cup cricket tournament has been shifted from Pakistan. The tournament will now be held in Dubai, to be played in the T20 format in September 2020. The change of the venue has been confirmed by President of BCCI Sourav Ganguly. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) were granted the rights to host the tournament by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) in December 2018. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) requested that the PCB change the event’s venue due to ongoing political tension between the two countries. BCCI made it clear that the Indian cricket team will not be participating in the tournament if Pakistan hosts it.

2. India pulls out of shooting world cup in Cyprus citing Novel Corona virus threat: AIRIndia has pulled out of next month's shooting World Cup in Cyprus, citing the Novel Corona virus threat there. The shotgun world cup, recognized by the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF), is scheduled to be held in Nicosia from 4th to 13th of March.

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. GST collection crosses Rs one lakh crore mark in February: Government has collected over one lakh five thousand crore rupees as Goods and Services Tax in February this year which is eight per cent more than the GST collected in the same month of last year. Out of the total revenue, Central Goods and Service Tax (CGST) is over 20 thousand crore rupees, State Goods and Service Tax (SGST) is over 27 thousand crore and Integrated Goods and Service Tax (IGST) is over 48 thousand crore rupees.

2. SEBI Chairman Ajay Tyagi Gets 6-month Extension: The Centre has extended the term of appointment of Ajay Tyagi, the Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) by another six months. The term of Tyagi, an Indian Administrative Service officer of Himachal Pradesh Cadre, was supposed to end on 29th February 2020. He will continue to head the regulator until the government finds a successor. Initially Tyagi was appointed for a period of three years and was eligible for an extension of two years. He will now head the regulator for a period of six months beyond 29.02.20 or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

3. Sumant Kathpalia named new MD-CEO of IndusInd Bank: Sumant Kathpalia has been named the new managing director (MD) and chief executive officer (CEO) of IndusInd Bank. He will replace Romesh Sobti from March 24, 2020. The bank had proposed the name of Kathpalia to RBI for the role, and after approval from RBI, Kathpalia has now been named the MD-CEO.

OBITUARIES

1. Dronacharya Awardee Athletics Coach Joginder Singh Saini Passes Away: Veteran athletics coach and Dronacharya awardee Joginder Singh Saini, has passed away due to age-related problems. He was 90. Saini, who groomed some of India’s finest track and field stars, was the chief national athletics coach for many years between 1970s to 1990s. Saini received the Dronacharya Award in 1997 for his contribution to Indian athletics.

2. JD(U)’s Valmiki Nagar MP Baidyanath Mahto passes away: Senior JD(U) leader & Lok Sabha MP from Valmiki Nagar, Baidyanath Mahto (70-years) passed away at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi. Mr. Mahto won the Valmiki Nagar seat in 2019 general election and also represented the seat in 2009. He had represented Nautan assembly seat thrice.