Daily GK Updates - 4th August, 2015

DAILY GK UPDATES - 4TH AUGUST, 2015

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

    I.   Tamil Nadu Government launches 352 lactating mother’s room, milk banks: With an aim to help lactating mothers who are travelling, Tamil Nadu CM J. Jayalalithainaugurated 352 rooms in bus terminals across the state where women can feed their new borns. Timing the launch to sync with World Breast Feeding Week (August 1-7), she also inaugurated Mother’s Milk Banks in seven government hospitals, including Tiruchirapalli and Madurai.

II.  Haryana Government to honour victims of Emergency 1975 with TamraPatra: Those who struggled for the restoration of democratic values during the 18-month long emergency will be given ‘TamraPatra’ on the Independence Day function.

III. Government signs peace accord with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland: With an aim of ending insurgency in Nagaland, government signed an accord with key outfit NSCN (IM) in the presence of the PM, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, NSA AjitDoval and NSCN leader T. Muivah.

IV.   Iqbal Ahmed Ansari appointed as Acting Chief Justice of Patna High Court.

 V.   Operation Muskaan helped Gurgaon police to trace over 1000 kids: Operation Muskaan, an initiative launched by the Railway Police to trace missing and destitute children and reunite them with parents, helped Gurgaon Police to  trace 1094 children in Haryana during a month-long operation.

VI.   Delhi police launched operation Shishtachar to teach lesson to eve-teasers.

VII.ITBP climbing and Ski down expedition to Saser Kangri-3 peak in Ladakh flagged-off.

VIII.   BhartiAirtel acquired YTS Solutions for mobile payment solutions: India’s largest telecom operator BhartiAirtel acquired financial solutions firm YTS Solutions for an undisclosed amount. With this acquisition, YTS Solutions will be integrated with the operations of Airtel Money Services Ltd, a subsidiary of Airtel.

IX.   Union Government extends term of R S Katoch as Director of Enforcement Directorate (ED) for the third time.

 X.   NTPC inks agreement to form JV with Jharkhand for Patratu Power Plant: National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd has inked an agreement with Jharkhand BijliVitran Nigam Ltd (JBVNL) to form a joint venture company for Patratu Power Plant, located in Ramgarh district of Jharkhand.

XI.   DU permits Skype Viva for PhD students, plagiarism check must: Scholars pursuing PhD at Delhi University can now appear for their viva through Skype or other modes of video conferencing.

XII.   Goa to host defence expo: The 9^th edition of the biennial defence trade exhibition, Defexpo India 2016, will take place in Goa.

XIII.   Lt General MMS Rai takes over as Army’s new vice chief of staff.

XIV.   18^th IIT opens at Palakkad: The 18^th IIT Palakkad is Kerala’s first IIT and is presently lodged in a temporary campus.

XV.   State run BSNL appointed N Poonguzhali as the 1^st Women Chief General Manager, Tamil Nadu circle.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

     

I. Afghanistan banned mourning ceremonies for deceased Taliban leader Omar: National Directorate of Security, the intelligence agency of the government of Afghanistan banned all mourning ceremonies for deceased Taliban leader Mullah Omar.

II. 193 UN members reached agreement on sustainable development agenda for the next 15 years: It calls for eradicating poverty and hunger, achieving gender equality, improving living standards and taking urgent action to combat climate change. The document is called ‘Transforming our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’.

III.500-m Aperture Spherical Telescope being constructed in China: The world’s largest radio telescope, Five hundredmeter Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST) is being constructed in the Guizhou province of South China, whose dish size will be equivalent to 30 football fields.

IV.CERN formally confers its Associate Membership to Pakistan: The European Organisation for Nuclear Research, has formally conferred its associate membership on Pakistan as it becomes the 1^st associate member of CERN among Asian Countries.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

    I.   Reserve Bank of India leaves door open for more easing: RBI kept its policy rate on hold at 7.25% while leaving the door open to ease further depending on the inflation outlook and how swiftly banks lower their lending rates.

II.   HSBC India plans to launch ‘Green Bonds’: HSBC India’s chairman NainaLalKidwai announced to launch ‘green bond’ in India for raising funds for investments in environmental projects.

III.   Japanese conglomerate SoftBank invests Rs 630 crore in online aggregator of budget hotels OYO Rooms (Gurgaon).

IV.   UTI Mutual Funds, the country’s oldest fund house, has attained an asset base of over Rs. 1 Lakh crore with about one crore investor accounts.

SPORTS:

 V.   DipaKarmakar won bronze medal at 6^th Senior ART Gymnastic Asian Championship: Ace Indian Gymnast DipaKarmakar clinched the women’s vault bronze medal at the 6^th Senior ART Gymnastic Championship at Hiroshima, Japan.

VI.   International Olympic Committee (IOC) has officially recognised ‘Frisbee’ as an Olympic sport.

VII.   German Cup winner Wolfsburg upset Bundesliga champion Bayern Munich on penalties to win its 1^st domestic Super Cup.

VIII.   RajatChauhan earned India its 1^st ever individual medal in the World Archery Championship 2015 held at Copenhagen, Denmark.

AWARDS:

    IX.   Hindi litterateur Kashinath Singh chosen for Bharat Bharti literary award 2014: He is known for his famous novel ‘KashikaAssi’, which captures the vibrant hues of Banaras.

OBITUARIES:

     X.   Former MP Labour Minister and senior BJP leader Jaganath Singh passed away in Bhopal at the age of 69.

Daily GK Updates - 3rd August, 2015

DAILY GK UPDATES - 3RD AUGUST, 2015

NATIONAL UPDATES:

I. Food Corporation gets Rs 13,000 crore as food subsidy from government: The Government has released Rs 13,000 crore as food subsidy to the state owned Food Corporation of India (FCI) to ensure smooth procurement and distribution of grains.

II. Government announces highway projects worth $93 billion to woo investors: Projecting the country’s highways sector as a unique opportunity for investments, the government has rolled out projects worth $93 billion, including the $45 billion flagship road building programme, the National Highway Building Project (NHBP).

III. India’s gold imports increased by 61% in April-May: India’s gold imports increased by 61% to 155 tonnes in the 1^st two months of the current fiscal mainly due to weak global prices and the easing of restrictions by the Reserve Bank of India.

IV. MCA lifted 3-year old Wankhede Stadium entry ban SRK: Mumbai Cricket Association lifted the 5-year ban of Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan on entering the Wankhede Stadium.

V. Aadi Perukku festival celebrated with traditional gaiety in Tamil Nadu: On 3^rd August, thousands of people including newlywed couples performed puja in Cauvery River in Erode, Tiruchirapalli and Salem.

VI. Guideline governing adoption of Children 2015 came into effect: The new guidelines are intended to provide for more effective regulation for adoption of orphan, abandoned and surrendered children and would bring more transparency and efficiency in the adoption system. Along with it, the fully revamped IT application for the purpose of adoption of children, CARINGS (Child Adoption Resource Information and Guidance System), has also become operational.

VII. R S Folger appointed as MD and CEO of Mercedes-Benz India.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

I. Tiju Thomas initiative emerged as UAE’s first and biggest donor registry: An Indian diplomat Tiju Thomas came in news  after spearheading an initiative to make blood from rare groups accessible to those in need through a website www.blooddonors.ae.

II. India foiled UK’s Pangaea Laboratories bid to patent use of Turmeric, Pine bark and tea: The UK based company had filed Patent application at the European Patent Office in February on a medicinal composition containing turmeric, pine bark and tea for treating hair loss. India succeeded in protecting its traditional knowledge.

III. NASA enhanced collision-avoidance system to avoid traffic jams between orbiting satellites and Mars: The system involves process of traffic monitoring, communication and manoeuvre planning.

IV. India to host 2^nd Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC): India will host second edition meeting of FIPIC on 21^st August in Jaipur, Rajasthan.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

I. HDFC Bank’s new initiative: HDFC Bank has launched ‘Dhanchayat’, an educational film to raise awareness on the dangers of borrowing money from unorganised sources. This film has been launched under the aegis of ‘Swachh Banking’, the banks corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative.

II. HDFC Bank ties up with Snapdeal for co-branded credit card: The card is aimed at getting Snapdeal’s customers, 70% of whom are from smaller cities and towns, to make online payments instead of availing the cash on delivery option.

SPORTS:

III. Indian women bag silver at World Archery Championships: The trio of Deepika Kumari, Laxmirani Manjhi and Rimil Buriuly put pressure on the Russians opening up 4-0 lead but could not wrap the issue as they lost the next two sets before going down in the shoot-off 27-28.

IV. South Sudan becomes Olympic movement’s 206^th member: South Sudan became the 206^th member of the Olympic family after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) approved its inclusion, despite on-going fighting in the African Country.

V. Victorian Open WSA-Joshna Chinappa won squash title: Indian Champion Joshna Chinappa won the women’s squash title in the $15,000 Victorian Open WSA event in Melbourne, Australia. The title in the men’s section went to R. Cuskelly of Australia.

OBITUARIES:

I. Private Equity pioneer Jerome Kohlberg dead: Jerome Kohlberg Jr., a founder of the investment firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. and a pioneer of the leveraged buyout, died at the age of 90.

II. US Country singer Lynn Anderson passes away at the age of 67

Daily GK Updates - 2nd August, 2015

DAILY GK UPDATES - 2ND August, 2015

NATIONAL UPDATES:

I. India’s 1^st Harbour Defence System commissioned in Kochi: India’s first integrated Underwater Defence and Surveillance System (IUHDSS) was commissioned in Kochi, Kerala. It is designed by the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).

II. ‘Ignited Minds’ written by the Missile Man, fly off the shelves: Even as the country continues to mourn his passing, A P J Abdul Kalam’s books are flying off the shelves, with the former president’s autobiography, ‘Wings of Fire’, emerging as the top seller online.

III.  V P Mahawar takes charge as Director (onshore) at ONGC.

IV. ONGC Videsh names Sudhir Sharma as Director (Exploration).

V.  Mangaluru becomes the 1^st Indian city to fight Malaria with Software: The Mangaluru City Corporation is all set to combat Malaria with the use of technology. The unique software developed through private initiative, at no cost to the corporation, will help control and prevent vector borne diseases interfacing with multiple stakeholder like corporation, hospitals/ laboratories and field workers.

VI. Tata brand retains number 1 position: The Tata brand retained its number one position in India in this year’s annual study conducted by the U.K based Brand Finance, a leading brand valuation consultancy.

VII. Ganga Ram Agarwal, a senior official, has been appointed as the new Secretary of Railway Board.

VIII.  Rakesh Sharma took over as the new Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

I. Thomas Cook (India) Ltd buys Sri Lankan firm Luxe Asia Pvt Ltd: The acquisition was done in undisclosed deal and was made through Thomas Cook (India) Ltd’s wholly owned subsidiary Thomas Cook (Lanka) Pvt Ltd. After this deal, Luxe Asia will be operated as an independent entity.

II. Cyclone Komen makes landfall in Bangladesh.

III. Myanmar frees 7,000 political prisoners: Myanmar freed some political prisoners and 155 Chinese citizens jailed for illegal logging in an amnesty.

IV. India ranked 14^th among 22 high TB burden countries globally. As per WHO Global Tuberculosis Report 2014, the estimated prevalence of TB is 2.6 million cases in country.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

I.  Centre to pump Rs. 70,000 crores into PSU Banks: The Modi Government announced a big-bucks boost to investments in the economy as the centre will for the next four years infuse Rs. 70,000 crore out of the budgetary allocations into state-owned banks.

II.  BNP Paribas acquires online broker Sharekhan: Sharekhan, one of the first movers in the country’s online broking segment, has been acquired by French Bank BNP Paribas.

SPORTS:

III. Sania Mirza recommended for Rajeev Gandhi KhelRatna: The Sports ministry confirmed that Wimbledon doubles champion SaniaMirza has been recommended for the Rajeev Gandhi KhelRatna.

OBITUARIES:

IV. Former BBC racing commentator Sir Peter O’Sullevan died in London at the age of 97.

Daily GK Test - 1st August, 2015

DAILY GK UPDATES - 1ST AUGUST, 2015

NATIONAL UPDATES:

I.   Government names Additional Secretary to RBI Board in place of Finance Secretary: The Finance Ministry has nominated Ajay Tyagi, Additional Secretaryin the Department of Economic Affairs to the RBI board in place of Economic Affairs Secretary.

II. IAS Officer ArunGoel takes over as new VC of Delhi Development Authority (DDA).

III. India to celebrate ‘Handloom Day’ on August 7: The Government has decided to declare August 7- the day of launch of the ‘India Handloom’ Brand as ‘National Handloom Day’.

IV. Union Government formulated draft rules for Mass Emission Standards for Bio-diesel fuelled vehicles.

V. Maharashtra government announced construction of 800-km Nagpur-Mumbai expressway: The Nagpur-Amravati-Aurangabad-Ghoti-Mumbai expressway, also called the Communication Super-expressway, would be built at the cost of 30,000 crore rupees.

VI. The state Government of Tamil Nadu instituted a youth award in the name of former president of India Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam and his birth anniversary on 15^th October would be celebrated as the ‘Youth Revival Day’.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

I. World Day against Trafficking in Persons observed across the world: World Day against Trafficking in Persons was observed across the world on 30^th July 15. To mark the day, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) launched the global campaign #IGiveHope to raise awareness around the plight of survivors of trafficking in persons.

II. India-UK Bilateral Air Exercise ‘Indradhanush’ concluded: During the 10-day exercise, different elements of the Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent operated from separate Royal Air Force bases (RAF).

III. 1974 Land Border Agreement between India and Bangladesh came into effect: 162 enclaves of India and Bangladesh were integrated with the main land with the execution of Land Border Agreement, 1974 between the two countries on 31 July 2015.

IV. Sri Lankan Government decided to renovate temples destroyed in Nepal Quake: Sri Lankan cabinet decided to undertake the repair of Buddhist temple in Swayambhunath and Hindu temple of Rao Machindranath in Lalitpur at a cost of 34 crore Sri Lankan rupees.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

I. RBI decided to issue 10 rupees coins to commemorate International Day of Yoga.

SPORTS:

II. Beijing chosen to host 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics.

III. RavichandranAshwin presented with Arjuna Award.

IV. 14-year old Lucknow boy PrabhroopSekhon won two golds at Special Olympics World games: He won the two medals in 300m and 500m roller skating at the Special Olympics World Summer Games. The event is being held at Los Angeles, USA.