Daily GK Updates - 20th July, 2015

NATIONAL UPDATES:

I.      Government to launch 8 postal ATMs in North East: Department of Posts will soon launch 8 ATMs in the North Eastern Region. Chief Post Master General of North East circle, SmitaKumari said in Shillong that 15 more locations are under process of installations of ATMs. India Post has taken up modernization plan under which computerization of all post offices in the country is taking place.

 

II.     ‘Bonalu’ declared as state festival by Telangana Government: It announced that total expenditure of the ‘Bonalu’ festivities will be officially borne by the state government.

 

III.  Hindustan Group of Institutions won 3 national awards at a corporate summit organised by All India Technical and Management Council (AITMC): WhileHindustan University was chosen as Best Private University of the Year, the award for Best Placements and Career Building and the award for Best International School were given to KCG college of Technology and Hindustan International School respectively.

 

IV.  The Visakh White Oil Terminal of HPCL has become the 1^st location in the country to launch bio-diesel product for own vehicles of the company, as part of its efforts to promote green initiative.

 

V.  Poor connectivity, lack of security behind poor economic growth of NE: ASSOCAM: The economic growth rate of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur has recorded a rate lower than that of the average growth rate of the North East region.

 

VI.   Maharashtra records most farmer suicide: As per the data released by the National Crime Records Bureau, Maharashtra recorded the highest number of farmer suicides during 2014 followed by Telangana, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

 

VII.  AAP leader Swati Maliwal takes charge as Chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW).

   

VIII. 21 railway stations to be developed with private participation: Thiruvananthpuram Central, Ernakulam Junction and Kozhikode are among the 21 stations. 400 stations have been shortlisted for development with private participation.

 

IX.   Israel offers help to clean Ganga: One of India’s biggest defence partners, wants to offer its expertise in Water Management and help the Government with its ambitious Ganga cleaning Project.

 

X.     Surat 1^st city to launch picture intelligence unit: It became the 1^st city in the country to launch a picture intelligence unit, comprising real time facial recognition and number plate recognition and vehicle speed violation system. The project has been initiated on public private partnership (PPP) model with a city based NGO Surat Traffic Education Trust. 

 

XI.   Daggubati Suresh Babu has been unanimously elected as the President of Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce (TFCC).

 

XII.  PM Modi inaugurated the 46^th Session of Indian Labour Conference, also called the ‘Labour Parliament’ in New Delhi.

 

XIII. Two new plant species namely Vellithumpa and Eriocaulon Manoharanii discovered in the Western Ghats.

XIV. Delhi CM ArvindKejriwal inaugurated 1^st ‘AamAadmi Clinic’ at Peeragarhi Relief Camp.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

I.     China, for the 1^st time going to participate in the Indian International Fleet Review (IFR): The development comes at a time of growing competition between the two countries for strategic space in the Indian Ocean with the Chinese Navy’s increasing forays into the region. The two sides will exchange visits of Naval Ships and hold PASSEX (Passing Exercise) and SAR (Search and Rescue) exercises.

II.   PM Modi paid tribute to Madiba on Nelson Mandela Day: 18^th July, the birth anniversary of Nelson Mandela is observed as the UN Mandela Day every year from 2010.

III.  Indo-Bangla joint survey in 162 LBA enclaves over nationality preferences concludes.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

I.      Foreign Equity composite cap:Banking, Defence ‘strategic’, not part of the new norm: The Government has done away with the difference between the various forms of foreign investments including FDI, FII and NRI by bringing in composite cap for foreign investments. Defence and Banking sector would be kept out of the new provisions given their ‘strategic importance’.

Currently, Foreign Investment of up to 74% of the paid up capital is allowed in the banking sector while the permissible limits through FIIs, FPIs and NRIs is 24% which can go up to 49% through a special resolution by bank. FDI limit of a composite 49% is allowed in the defence sector but the portfolio investment by FPIs/FIIs/NRIs and investments by FVCIs together cannot exceed 24% of the total equity of the investee.

 

II.      Pay minimum card due in 90 Days or get tagged as NPA: The RBI has asked banks to treat credit card accounts as non-performing if the minimum due is not paid fully within 90 days of the payment due date mentioned in the credit card statement.

SPORTS:

III.     AmelieMauresmo inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame: She is two time grand slam winner and former number one tennis player of France.

 

IV.  ShubhamJaglan wins World Junior Golf Championship: He defeated Australia’s Jeffrey Guan to win the World Junior Golf Championship in San Diego, California.

AWARDS:

V.      Kerala Tourism’s Muziris Heritage Project wins award: Kerala Tourism has won this year’s prestigious Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Gold Award for its Muziris Heritage Project, aimed at restoring the historical and cultural significance of the ancient town that stretches across North Paravur in Ernakulam to Kodungalloor in Thrissur. The award is sponsored by Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO).

 

VI.     Indian Origin Doctor Shiv Pande receives honorary fellowship in UK:He has been given the fellowship by the prestigious University of Central Lancashire of United Kingdom.

OBITUARIES:

VII.  Alex Rocco, the actor known for his role in ‘Godfather’ died at the age of 79.

VIII.   Noted Urdu fiction writer Dr.BishesharPradeep died in Lucknow. He was best known for his ‘AfsanaNigari’, the fiction writing form in Urdu.

Daily GK Updates - 19th July, 2015

 DAILY GK UPDATES - 19TH JULY, 2015

NATIONAL UPDATES:

I.       Millennium’s 1^stNabakalebarRathYatra held at Puri, Odisha:This RathYatra marks the largest ever congregations in Odisha.

II.     Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu roads the most unsafe, show NCRB data: The National Crime Records Bureau’s Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India report for 2014 was released. The numbers show a slight increase in traffic accidents and a slight decline in suicides.

III.     The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by PM Modi has given approval for the development of six-laning of Eastern Peripheral Expressway (EPE) in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

IV.         Punjab became the 1^st state to operationalize 117-megawatt solar power projects following inauguration of 10.50 MW solar power plant at Sangatpura village near Lehragaga town of Sangrur district.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

I.         China begins the assembling of World’s largest sea plane: It has started assembling of world’s largest amphibious aircraft which it plans to deploy in the disputed South China Sea besides aggressively marketing it abroad.

II.         Russia and India sign customs pact to boost trade: Both the countries have initiated steps to remove hindrances and boost commerce by signing an agreement in the area of customs and moving to liberalise business visas. The two countries have fixed a target of $30 billion to be achieved by 2025.

III.     India and Russia to jointly build 200 military helicopters: It will boost India’s defence sector and intensify the strategic ties between the two countries.

IV.        Indian-American to represent U.S in International Chemistry Olympiad: 16 year old SoorajnathBoominathan, a resident of Oklahoma State will represent the United States along with three other students in the annual International Chemistry Olympiad in Azerbaijan. This is the 47^thannual Olympiad.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

I.         Government sanctions Rs 700 crore additional funds for capitalisation of regional rural banks (RRBs): It sanctioned the additional funds for the recapitalisation of weak regional rural banks and extended the validity period for the fund infusion to next fiscal.

SPORTS:

II.         Zimbabwe beat India by 10 runsin the 2^nd T20.

III.    Somdev, Yuki ensure India advance to World Group play-offs: Yuki Bhambri recorded his 1^st ever victory in a live fifth rubber after Somdev levelled the scores as India advanced to the World Group Play-offs following a win over New Zealand in the Asia Group 1 Davis cup.

Daily GK Updates - 18th July, 2015

DAILY GK UPDATES - 18TH JULY, 2015

NATIONAL UPDATES:

I.  INS Astravahini decommissioned after 31 years of service: The indigenously developed Torpedo launch and recovery vessel decommissioned by the Indian Navy after 31 years of service.

II.  Union Government brought 39 more drugs under price control regime.

III. White-Fi technology of Microsoft to boost Digital India Initiative: This technology will use the unspent spectrum on TV for internet usage. It can provide free Wi-Fi connectivity to the roughly one billion Indians who don’t have any net access and it plans to start with International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Bangalore campus.

IV. IBM, IIM-B and Catalyst complete women’s leadership development programme: IBM announced the graduation of the first group students from Tanmatra, an innovative, cross-industry women’s leadership development programme conducted in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore and Catalyst India WRC.

V. Haryana Government named Parineeti Chopra as its brand ambassador for ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’

VI. India’s first private air freight station all set to open in Chennai.

VII. Indian Railways have decided to discontinue the provision of compulsory requirement of Identity proof at the time of booking tatkal tickets from September 1.

VIII. Global Emergency Response Network to be launched in India: A new decentralized and personalized mobile app called ‘MUrgency’ is being set up to create a global emergency response to help people in distress in developing coutries.

IX.  Flipkart appointed Eric Lange as Vice President of Product Management.

X.   Prashant Pathrabe appointed as Interim Director of Film and Television Institute of India (FTII).

XI.  A woman having a child through surrogacy is entitled to maternity leave:  Delhi High Court.

XII.  Union Government launched Delhi Police Railway Helpline number 1512.

XIII. Competition Commission of India approved the proposed deal related to a joint venture Aegon Religare Life Insurance company where Religare Enterprises will now exit this joint venture.

XIV. 2^nd Sohara Marathon held at Mawkdok in Meghalaya.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

I. India and Myanmar to strengthen defence ties: This was announced during the joint consultative commission (JCC) meeting held in New Delhi chaired by External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj and Myanmar’s Foreign Minister W.M Lwin.

II. European Union approves 7 billion Euro Short-term loan to Greece: This loan will allow Greece to pay its huge debt to European Central Bank (ECB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) till new bailout plan is ratified.

III. A team of Scientists led by India-Origin scientist AnuragMathur, belonging to the University of California conducted a research that led to the development of  mini heart (Cardiac Micro physiological System) on a microchip using human stem cells.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

I. RBI and Central Bank of Sri Lanka ink currency swap agreement: Under this agreement, Sri Lankan Bank can draw up to 1.1 billion dollars for a maximum period of 6 months. This Currency Swap Framework is signed between SAARC member countries. This seeks to provide a backstop line of funding to member countries in order to meet any balance of payment and liquidity crises.

II. J&K’s special status under article 370 of the Indian Constitution cannot be altered: HC: This observation was made by a bench comprising of judges M A Attar and A M Magray while ruling that the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest (SARFAESI) Act 2002 cannot be enforced in the state.

SPORTS:

III.  India retains 2^nd spot in the ICC ODI Ranking after clean sweep over Zimbabwe.

IV. Neeraj Kumar appointed Chief Security Advisor for ICC World T20 2016.      

AWARDS:

V. Indian American Sunita Vishwanath honoured as Champions of Change by US White House: She was among 12 other faith leaders who were awarded for their efforts in protecting environment and communities from the effects of climate change.

OBITUARIES:

VI. F1 driver Jules Bianchi died 9 months after suffering severe head injuries in a Suzuka crash at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix.

VII.   Uruguay’s soccer legend A.E Ghiggia died following a heart attack. He was the hero of the 1950 FIFA World Cup Win of Uruguay over Brazil.