Daily GK Update- 3rd Feb, 2022

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Punjab Chief Electoral Officer unveiled its mascot named ‘Shera’: Chief Electoral Officer’s office of Punjab unveiled its election mascot, “Shera” (Lion). It aims to increase voter awareness, participation and promote ethical voting in the Punjab Assembly polls that is scheduled on 20 February 2022. The mascot “Shera”, depicting a lion. It represents the rich cultural heritage of Punjab. It is promoted under the Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) project of the Election Commission of India (ECI). SVEEP project was started in 2009, as the flagship program of the ECI for voter education.

Note: Punjab Capital: Chandigarh; Punjab Chief minister: Charanjit Singh Channi; Punjab Governor: Banwarilal Purohit.

 

2. India’s first geological park will be built in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh: The first geological park of India will be built in Lamheta, Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh. Approval for the park was given by the Geological Survey of India, under the ministry of mining. Park will be constructed with an investment of Rs 35 crores, over five-acre land. The geological park will be built in Lamheta, because this place is among significant places in the world, from the geological point of view. In 1928, William Henry Sleeman had discovered a Dinosaur fossil from this area. UNESCO has also recognised Lamheta as a geo heritage site. Lameta Formation is also called Infratrappean Beds. It is a sedimentary geological formation found in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat. It is associated with the Deccan Traps. It is of the Maastrichtian age and is known for dinosaur fossils.

Geopark: Geopark is a unified area, which advances the protection and use of geological heritage in a sustainable manner. It also promotes the economic well-being of the people living there.

Note: Madhya Pradesh Capital: Bhopal; Madhya Pradesh Governor: Mangubhai C. Patel; Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister: Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

 

3. Gandhi Mandiram, Smruthi Vanam built at Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh: Social activists have built a temple for Mahatma Gandhi and freedom fighters’ Smrithi Vanam at the Municipal Park in Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh to inculcate patriotism among the youth by remembering the sacrifices of freedom fighters. Statues of freedom fighters and social activists were erected in the park with the help of donors. Mahatma Gandhi statue was unveiled along with Smritivanam on the eve of Mahatma Gandhi’s death anniversary in Srikakulam City. Srikakulam, also called Chicacole, the North Eastern District in AP is known for temple tourism. After observing the park development, Srikakulam municipal corporation commissioner Obulesh sanctioned Rs 4.60 lakh for the park beautification from the corporation funds.

Note: Andhra Pradesh Capitals: Visakhapatnam (executive capital), Kurnool (judicial capital), Amaravati (legislative capital); Andhra Pradesh Governor: Biswabhusan Harichandan; Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister: Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy.

 

4. Centre nominates Hoysala Temples in Karnataka for World Heritage List in 2022-2023: The Ministry of Culture has nominated the ‘Sacred Ensembles of Hoysala’ located in Karnataka for UNESCO’s World Heritage List for 2022-2023. The ‘Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysala’ are on UNESCO’s tentative list since April 15, 2014. The Hoysala Temples was formally submitted for the nomination by the Permanent Representative of India to UNESCO Vishal V Sharma on January 31, 2022. The Hoysalas temples nominated are represented by:

(1) Chennakesava Temple at Belur (dedicated to Lord Vishnu)

(2) Hoysaleswara Temple at Halebidu (dedicated to Lord Shiva)

(3) Kesava Temple at Somanathapura (dedicated to Lord Vishnu)

 

5. Global Center of Excellence in Affordable and Clean Energy (GCoE-ACE) inaugurated at IIT Dharwad: The Global Center of Excellence in Affordable and Clean Energy (GCoE-ACE) has been inaugurated at the Indian Institute of Technology, Dharwad (IITDh) in Karnataka. GCoE-ACE will help to boost research in affordable and clean energy; build capacity, and invent technology to implement renewable energy on field. The facility has been set up by Honeywell Hometown Solutions India Foundation (HHSIF). HHSIF is a not-for-profit organisation under the multinational conglomerate Honeywell.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Dubai will launch World’s first Hydrogen-powered Flying Boat ‘The Jet’: Dubai firm, THE JET ZeroEmission announced the launch of the World’s first hydrogen-powered flying boat ‘THE JET’ in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. ‘THE JET’ features cutting-edge characteristics and technologies, making it capable of flying in silence over the waters at a cruising speed of 40 knots and also has a capacity of carrying 8-12 passengers.

This announcement comes as a result of the agreement signed between Swiss startup THE JET ZeroEmission, UAE-based Zenith Marine Services, and US-based DWYN to manufacture and operate ‘The Jet’ in Dubai. THE JET will have its inaugural flight during the COP28, which is scheduled to be held in Dubai, UAE in 2023.

Note: UAE Capital: Abu Dhabi; UAE Currency: United Arab Emirates dirham; UAE President: Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Banks to transfer 15 NPA accounts worth Rs 50,000 crores to NARCL in FY22: As per SBI Chairman Dinesh Kumar Khara, National Asset Reconstruction Company Ltd (NARCL) or bad bank and IndiaDebt Resolution Company Ltd (IDRCL) are ready to commence operations. A total of 38 Non-Performing Asset (NPA) accounts worth Rs 82,845 crore have been identified to be transferred to NARCL initially. In Phase I, 15 stressed assets (i.e. Non-Performing Asset accounts) worth Rs 50,000 crore will be transferred to NARCL in the current financial year. Public Sector Banks have taken a majority stake in NARCL, IDRCL will be majorly owned by private sector banks.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. HPCL launches Non-Fuel Retail Store ‘HaPpyShop’: Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (HPCL) has marked its foray into the non-fuel retailing sector by inaugurating its Retail Store under the brand name HaPpyShop, to make available the products of daily need to its customers at their convenience. The first retail store was launched by HPCL in September 2021 in Mumbai at Company’s Retail Outlet located at Nepean Sea Road. Giving it a further push, the company has announced the opening of two more Convenience Stores of ‘HaPpyShop’ on January 31, 2022.  The two new stores are located at: (a) Company’s Auto Care Centre, Bandra West in Mumbai and (b) Millennium Retail Outlet in Visakhapatnam

In addition to this, HPCL has launched the platform in a purely online format by opening the Online Store at Madurai. HPCL is also marketing branded packaged drinking water at its Retail Outlets across the country under the name ‘Paani@Club HP’.

Note: HPCL Headquarters: Mumbai; HPCL CEO and Chairperson: Mukesh Kumar Surana.

 

2. GAIL commences India’s first-of-its-kind project of mixing hydrogen into the natural gas system: GAIL (India) Limited has started India’s first-of-its-kind project of mixing hydrogen into the natural gas system at Indore, Madhya Pradesh. GAIL will supply this hydrogen blended natural gas to Avantika Gas Ltd for retailing of CNG to automobiles and piped natural gas to households in Indore. Avantika Gas Ltd is a joint venture of GAIL and HPCL. India has committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070. Mixing of hydrogen with renewable energy will help in achieving this goal.

 

3. Tata Sky Rebrands itself as Tata Play: Tata Sky has dropped the ‘sky’ brand name after 15 years and has rechristened itself as Tata Play. The DTH company has joined hands with Netflix to offer new OTT (over the top) content-centric channel packs as well. The new name of the company will be visible to the viewers. Tata Play Binge will hosts content from 13 leading OTT apps through a single User Interface while offering the flexibility of a single subscription and payment.

Through the new identity as Tata Play, companies simply aim to signify their expanded range of products and services and their desire to be future-ready while making tomorrow better than today for homes and families. Tata Play was founded in 2006. It is a joint venture between the Tata Sons (60%) and The Walt Disney Company (30%), with Temasek Holdings, Singapore (10%).

 

DEFENCE

 

1. Lt Gen GAV Reddy named as new Defence Intelligence Agency Head: Lieutenant General GAV Reddy has been appointed as the new head of the Defence Intelligence Agency. General Reddy would be succeeding Lt Gen KJS Dhillon. Lieutenant General KJS Dhillon retired after serving in various strategic positions during his 39-year career in the Indian Army.

The Director-General of the Defence Intelligence Agency is the head of the organisation and is among the principal advisors on intelligence to the Minister of Defence and the Chief of Defence Staff. The post of the director general is held on a rotation basis between the three Armed services. The first Director-General of the DIA was Lt Gen Kamal Davar, former director-general of the Indian Army’s Mechanised Forces.

 

2. Lt Gen Manoj Pande takes over as new Vice-Chief of Army Staff: Government has appointed Lieutenant General Manoj Pande as the new Vice Chief of Army Staff. He will take over from Lieutenant General Chandi Prasad Mohanty who superannuated on January 31, 2022. Prior to this appointment, Lt Gen Pande was the Eastern Army Commander since June 01, 2021.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Actor & filmmaker Amitabh Dayal passes away: Actor and filmmaker Amitabh Dayal has passed away after suffering a heart attack at the age of 51. Dayal has worked in films like Kagaar: Life on the Edge (2003) with Om Puri, Bhojpuri film Rangdari (2012) and Raj Babbar’s Dhuaan (2013), Amitabh Bachchan’s Virrudh (2005). He also worked on P. Akash’s Dillagi…Yeh Dillagi (2005), the film started Dharmendra, Rati Agnihotri and Kapil Dev, but never saw light of the day.