Daily GK Updates - 28th December, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Viral Acharya appointed as the Deputy Governor of RBI: He will be joining the ranks of Vishwanathan, S SMundra, R Gandhi as one of four deputy governors serving under RBI Governor Urjit Patel.

2. Indian Army partners with IIT Gandhinagar for critical technology requirements: Indian Army has inked an agreement with IIT Gandhinagar to set up a research and development (R&D) cell at the IIT campus to identify problems and possible solutions for the Indian Army. The agreement also enable the IIT and Indian Army to collaborate in areas including critical technology requirements of Indian Army, sharing of professional and technical knowledge.

3. Ministry of Shipping inaugurates Sagarmala Development Company’s office in New Delhi: The Company would help in structuring activities, bidding out projects for private sector participation, identifying suitable risk management measures for strategic projects across multiple states, regions and obtaining requisite approvals and clearances.

4. PM Modi lays foundation stone of 900 km Char Dham Highway: PM NarendraModi has laid the foundation stone of Char Dham highway development project in Dehradun. Char DhamYatra is an annual pilgrimage to the shrines of Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri.The project includes developing 900 km of National Highways in Uttarakhand at Rs 12,000crore.

5. Government cancels FCRA licences of 20,000 NGOs for incomplete documentation: The Government of India cancelled the Foreign Contribution of Regulation Act FCRA licences of 20,000 out of 33,000 NGOs for violation of laws. Only 13,000 NGOs in the country are now legally valid as the licences of 20,000 such organisations have been cancelled for incomplete documentation.On December 15, 7 NGOs, including one run by activist Shabnam Hashmi, were barred by the government from receiving foreign funds after their FCRA licence.

6. Gujarat Government announces Biotechnology Policy: Gujarat government lead by Vijay Rupani has introduced the ‘Biotechnology Policy-2016’ to establish Gujarat as a preferred destination for manufacturing of biotechnology products. Under the policy, the state government would provide capital subsidy up to Rs 25 crore on the total investment for developing a Biotechnology (BT) Park, said Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel while announcing the policy.

7. Nagar UdayAbhiyan launched in Madhya Pradesh: CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan has launched Nagar UdayAbhiyan rallies across the state. In these rallies, urban welfare and other public welfare schemes will be reviewed.

8. Paytm launches 100-member merchant helpdesk to educate on digital payments: Mobile payment and e-commerce platform Paytm has announced a 100-member 'merchant helpdesk' and announcing that it will invest Rs 50 crore towards educating merchants on digital payments across the country.

9.  Tata Motors signs Akshay Kumar as brand ambassador: Indian Cinema's 'original Khiladi' will make his blockbuster entry in this new role at the launch of Tata Motors' latest offering in Commercial Vehicles, slated in January 2017.

10. Shah Rukh Khan conferred with Honorary Doctorate for promoting Urdu language: Actor Shahrukh Khan has received an honorary doctorate from Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) in Hyderabad for his extraordinary contribution in promotion of the Urdu language and culture through his films.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Shinzo Abe becomes the first Japanese PM to visit Pearl Harbour: Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who arrived in Hawaii, will become the first Japanese leader to visit Pearl Harbor. He pay's his respects at the USS Arizona Memorial, the site of the deadly attack that prompted the U.S. entry into World War II.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

1. Au Financiers gets final nod to start small finance bank operations: AU Financiers (India) Ltd has received the final licence from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to start a small finance bank, becoming the seventh entity to do so. AU Financiers was the only non-banking finance company (NBFC) among the 10 entities to receive in-principle approvals to start small finance banks in September 2015.

2. Bank of Maharashtra adopts village in Sangli for Digital Transactions: Pune based public sector lender Bank of Maharashtra, has helped to make the village of Malangaon, in Sangli district, Maharashtra, a completely cashless village.

SPORTS:

3. Virat Kohli chosen as captain of Cricket Australia’s ODI Team of the Year.

4. 16 year of Indian shooter equals Rio gold medallist’s score: Shooter Pruthviraj Ayachi shot 209.5 in the finals of the junior men's 50 meters Rifle Prone event at the National Shooting Championship, equalling the score of the Rio Olympics' gold medallist.

Daily GK Updates - 27th December, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Karnataka Government launches 25 bio-diesel buses in the state: In an effort to reduce pollution caused by diesel buses, Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has launched 25 bio-diesel buses in the state. These eco-friendly buses will ply on four routes, including Tirupati and Chennai.

2. Central Government of India releases Rs 1,982 crore for Andhra Pradesh’s Polavaram project: The Centre has released Rs 1,982 crore for the multipurpose Polavaram irrigation project in Andhra Pradesh through National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), which sanctioned the long term irrigation fund under Prime Minister KrishiSinchayeeYojana.

3. Government of India releases special stamp on freedom fighters and Hardayal Municipal Heritage Public Library: Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications has brought out a Special Cover on freedom fighter 'Shri Gaya Prasad Katiyar' and a set of eight Commemorative Postage Stamps on 'Personalities Series: Bihar' & a stamp on 'Hardayal Municipal Heritage Public Library'.

4. Farmers get additional 60 days to repay crop loan: RBI: In a relief to farmers hit by demonetisation, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has given an additional 60 days to repay their crop loans due in November-December, 2016 and prompt repayment would be eligible for the extra 3% interest subsidy.

5. Registration of Pakistani Hindus as Indian Citizen reduced from Rs 15,000 to Rs 100: The registration fees for Hindus and other minority community people from three neighboring countries comprising Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh, to register as Indian citizens have been reduced drastically to Rs 100 from Rs 15,000.

6. Odisha Government launches Malaria Control Programme DAMAN: The Odisha government has decided to intensify state sponsored malaria elimination scheme 'Daman' (DurgamaAnchalare Malaria Nirakaran) in eight remote districts of the state.

7. Maharashtra CM launched ‘Transform Maharashtra’ initiative: Chief Minister DevendraFadnavis launched an initiative 'Transform Maharashtra' at IIT Bombay's 'Mood Indigo' festival. Under it, the chief minister will address issues related to youth in governance.

8. Odisha names Mega Lift Irrigation Scheme after the freedom fighter ParbatiGiri: The State Cabinet of Odisha on December 24 named the Mega Lift Irrigation Scheme worth Rs. 7,600 crore, after the noted freedom fighter and social reformer ParbatiGiri as a mark of respect for her immense contribution to the freedom movement and service to the poor and needy.

9.  Actor MithunChakraborty resigns from RajyaSabha: Actor MithunChakraborty has resigned from the RajyaSabha citing health issues. The 66-year-old actor was nominated to the Upper House by West Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC).

10. Salman Khan launches his app ‘BeingInTouch’ on 51^st birthday: The app will provide access to Salman's social media accounts, along with his unseen pictures and videos. The app users can also avail discounts from various brands on the app.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. China passes Environment Tax Law to curb pollution: China has passed a new law to levy environment tax on polluters, especially on heavy industries. The environment tax law was adopted by the legislature, the National People’s Congress (NPC) standing committee at a meeting in Beijing.

2. Dr Barbara Jatta becomes first ever female director of Vatican Museum: Dr Barbara Jatta (54) has appointed as the first female director of Vatican Museums by Pope Francis. It will be effective from January 2017 Jatta is currently working as the Deputy Director of the museums Since June 2016.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

1. KVGB launches ‘Bank Sakhi’ scheme: The Karnataka Vikas Grameen Banks (KVGB) has come up with ‘Bank Sakhi’ innovative scheme for employing women in villages to promote and improve the cashless transactions in rural areas. The Bank Chairman S Ravindran revealed that the bank would appoint women business correspondents called 'Bank Sakhi' in select villages where this scheme would be implemented.

2. IDFC Bank rolls out Aadhaar Pay for cashless payments to merchants: IDFC Bank has announced the nationwide launch of IDFC Aadhaar Pay, the country’s first Aadhaar-linked cashless merchant solution that uses a retailer’s own Android smartphone to enable cashless payments.

SPORTS:

3. Yuki Bhambri wins $10,000 ITF Hong Kong F4 Fortunes: It was his 11th title on the ITF Pro Circuit. He defeated Shintaro Imai of Japan who has been placed at second position.

OBITUARIES:

4. Former Sri Lankan PM Ratnasiri Wickremanayake passed away at the age of 83.

Daily GK Updates - 26th December, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Lucky Grahak Yojana, DigiDhan Vyapar Yojana launched: Government of India has launched Lucky Grahak Yojana for Consumers and Digi-DhanVyaparYojana for Merchants to promote digital transaction.

2. PM Modi lays foundation stone of Pune Metro Rail:PM NarendraModi laid the foundation stone of Pune Metro project's Phase-I.PM Modi said the government is actively working on the Rurban Mission, which caters to the places that are urbanising quickly.The government needs to improve the quality of life in villages as well as mitigate the challenges that the urban areas are facing.

3. Assam CM launches Atal-Amrit Abhiyan across the State:Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal has launched 'Atal-Amrit Abhiyan' Scheme across the State.

4. ‘Kuchipudi’ performers dance their way into Guinness World Records: Andhra Pradesh’s own classical dance ‘Kuchipudi’ found a place in the Guinness World Records yet again when a record 6,117 dancers came together to present a show at the IGMC Stadium in Vijaywada.

5. India’s first 2G Ethanol Bio-refinery set up in Punjab:The foundation stone for India's first second generation ethanol bio-refinery to be set up by Hindustan Petroleum Corp (HPCL) at Bathinda in Punjab at a cost of Rs 600 crore.

6. UP CM inaugurates power projects worth Rs52, 000 crore:Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav has inaugurated power projects worth over Rs52, 000 crore across the state. 

7.India successfully test-fires nuclear capable Agni-V: India tested its Agni-V intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in its final operational configuration from Wheeler Island off Odisha , paving the way for its eventual induction into the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) after user-trials.

8. Five global reinsurers, including RGA, Swiss Re, get final licence from Irda: The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irda) has approved the R3 application and granted certificate of registration to five global reinsurers to opens shops.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1.Scientists find world's most heat resistant material: Scientists have identified materials that can withstand temperatures of nearly 4,000 degrees Celsius, an advance that may pave the way for improved heat resistant shielding for the faster-than-ever hypersonic space vehicles.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:                                 

1. SBI adopts village of Maharashtra for Aadhaar-based payments: The State Bank of India (SBI) has adopted Shirki village in Pen taluka in Maharashtra for driving the Aadhaar-based merchant payment initiative. 

SPORTS:

2. Pankaj Advani won National title in 6-red Snooker: Sixteen-time world champion Pankaj Advani ended the year on a high by bagging the National title in 6-red snooker, the shorter format of the game.

OBITUARIES:

3. Co-Artist of national emblem Dinanath Bhargava died at 89: Dinanath Bhargava, a co-artist in the team that sketched the national emblem ‘Lion Capital of Ashoka’ and decorated the pages of the Constitution’s manuscript, died at the age of 89 in Indore.

4. British singer George Michael who launched his career with Wham in the 1980s and continued his success as a solo performer.

Daily GK Updates - 25th December, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.Good Governance Day being observed to mark Atal Bihari Vajpayee's Birthday:  Good Governance Day is being observed today (25th December 2016) to mark the birthday of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee who has turned 92. From today, Good Governance campaign will be undertaken for 100 days during which Ministers and Members of Parliament will travel across the country and attend programmes highlighting the government's key initiatives. 

2.DRDO successfully flight tests Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully flight tested the Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW) at the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur off Odisha coast. Capable of engaging ground targets with high precision covering a range of around 100 km, SAAW precision-guided bomb is an indigenous designed and developed class smart weapon weighing 120 kg.

3. Google India, Consumer Affairs Ministry join hands for online consumer protection:Aiming to raise awareness about online safety, Google India in collaboration with Ministry of Consumer Affairs has announced a nationwide 'Digitally Safe Consumer campaign, as part of a larger effort to help better protect consumer interest online. 

4. Google India, Consumer Affairs Ministry join hands for online consumer protection:Social networking giant Facebook received 6,324 requests from Indian government agencies for 8,290 users/accounts in the first half of 2016. This is the second highest after the US, which made 23,854 requests for 38,951 users/accounts during January-June 2016, according to Facebook’s Government Requests Report.

5.Govt launch mobile App 'Smart Consumer' & OCMC to provide speedy redressal of consumer grievances: The government has launched a host of online initiatives including a mobile App 'Smart Consumer' and an 'Online Consumer Mediation Centre (OCMC)' to provide speedy redressal of consumer grievances. 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Obama signs USD 618 bn defence bill; boosts security cooperation with India: US President Barack Obama has signed into law the USD 618 billion defence budget for 2017, which enhances security cooperation with India and conditions nearly half of the funding to Pakistan on a certification that it is taking demonstrable steps against the Haqqani Network.

2. Pakistani Hindus can register for Indian citizenship with fee as low as Rs 100: The registration fees for Hindus and other minority community people from three neighbouring countries including Pakistan as Indian citizens have been drastically reduced to as low as Rs 100 from Rs 15,000. In a gazette notification, the home ministry said the new rules will be applicable to minority communities Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and living in India on long term visa.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. Virat Kohli leads Lord's Cricket Ground list of top 20 players of 2016: After the release of ICC and Cricket Australia's list of best players of 2016, Lord's Cricket Ground have followed the trend and selected top 20 players for this calendar year.

Daily GK Updates - 24th December, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Union Cabinet Approves Ordinance to amend Payment of Wages Act, 1936: The Centre approved a draft ordinance on December 21, 2016, to empower states and enable industries to pay wages by cheque or by direct credit into bank accounts of workers earning up to Rs. 18,000 a month, without taking their explicit consent.

2. The External Affairs Ministry's launches Twitter Seva: The External Affairs Ministry's have launched a new service called Twitter Seva that will enable timely, transparent and large-scale response to citizens' tweets in real time.

3. 'Coal Mitra' portal launched to facilitate flexibility in utilization of domestic coal:Power Minister Piyush Goyal has launched 'Coal Mitra' Web Portal to facilitate Flexibility in Utilization of Domestic Coal. 

4. Tata Steel to acquire 100% equity in Brahmani River Pellets,Odisha :Tata Steel has signed an agreement to acquire 100% equity in Odisha-based Brahmani River Pellets (BRPL) for Rs 900 crore.

5. Textile Ministry to launch Bunkar Mitra-Handloom Helpline Centre for weavers:The Ministry of Textiles has decided to establish a “Bunkar Mitra-Handloom Helpline Centre” where professional queries of weavers will be answered by the experts in the field. 

6. Odisha Government launches BijuSishuSurakshyaYojana for HIV+ orphan children: Naveen Patnaik launches Biju Sishu Surakshya Yojana to nurture orphan kids.The state government launched the Biju Sishu Surakshya Yojana, a scheme to nurture the orphan and HIV-infected children residing in different child care institutions and orphanages.

7. Kisan Diwas is observed every year on 23 December across India: Kisan Diwas is observed every year on 23 December across India Since 2001 to celebrate the birth anniversary of the fifth prime minister and kisan leader,Ch. Charan Singh.

8.Govt Okays Rs 7,000-cr defence projects: The Defence Acquisition Council approved defence requirements worth approximately Rs 7,000 crore. These include purchasing six modern surveillance aircraft for the Indian Coast Guard. 

9. Nusli Wadia voted out of Tata Chemicals: Shareholders of Tata Chemicals have voted out Nusli Wadia as an independent director of the company with 75.67 % votes going in favour of a resolution moved by Tata Sons to remove him. 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Global Wage Report shows India to be among the worst levels of gender wage disparity: According to Global Wage Report, India has among the worst levels of gender wage disparity.Men earning more than women in similar jobs with the gap exceeding 30%, the Global Wage Report 2016-17 released by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

2.Nepal to hold military exercise with China: Nepal has announced to hold its first ever joint military exercise with China on February 10, 2017 to begin a new level of bilateral military engagement with China.

3. France is the first to use drones for its national mail service: France’s airspace regulator, General Directorate for Civil Aviation, has approved the plan to launch drone delivery program, making France the world’s first national postal service to use drones regularly.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:                                 

1. ICICI Bank Launches EazyPay app for Merchants: ICICI Bank has now launched a payments collection app for offline merchants and retailers called Eazypay which will allow customers to pay via UPI, cards, net banking and the bank’s Pockets wallet app. 

SPORTS:

2. APIS India ropes in badminton sensation PV Sindhu as its brand ambassador: APIS India a leading producer, distributor and exporter of honey under APIS Himalaya brand, has roped in Indian badminton champion and Rio Olympics silver medalist PV Sindhu as its brand ambassador. 

3. India beat Sri Lanka in final; clinch Asia Cup under-19 title: India, coached by Rahul Dravid, continued their dominance in the Asia Cup as they clinched the U-19 title by defeating Sri Lanka in the final at the R Premadasa stadium in Colombo.

4. Shiva Keshavan grabs gold at Asian Luge Championship:India’s Seasoned Winter Olympian Shiva Keshavan clinched a gold medal at the Asian Luge Championship on 23rd December. 

5. Pakistan's first Sikh cricketer Mohinder Pal Singh to join national cricket academy: Pakistan cricket has seen Christians and Hindus represent the country at home and abroad, but for the first time a Sikh has secured a place in the National Cricket Academy.

AWARDS:

6. Acclaimed Bengali poet Shankha Ghosh to get 2016 Jnanpith Award.

Daily GK Updates - 23rd December, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. PM Modi features on Government of India calendar for 2017: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has featured on the Government of India 2017 calendar. The calendar features candid pictures, with each month representing the issues that Modi has worked for.

2. Union Minister of State for Ayush Yesso Naik inaugurates NE Institute of Ayurveda and Homeopathy: Union Minister of State for Ayush Shripad Yesso Naik has inaugurated the North Eastern Institute of Ayurveda and Homeopathy (NEIAH).

3. Delhi named India's most well-read city of 2016 by Amazon: Delhi has emerged as the country's most well-read city in the fourth consecutive year with Bengaluru and Mumbai taking the second and third spot, according to Annual Reading Trends Report 2016 by Amazon. 

4. Hrithik Roshan becomes highest advance taxpaying actor: He has paid an advance tax of Rs 80 crore till December 15, 2016, compared to Rs 50 crore last year.

5. Salman Khan has been ranked No. 1 on the fifth Forbes India Celebrity 100 List. 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. China launches satellite to monitor global CO2 emissions: China has launched atmospheric CO2-monitoring TanSat satellite on 22nd December 2016, in an effort to curb and monitor greenhouse gas emissions. 

2.World's first solar road opens in France: The world's first solar road made with 30,000 square feet of solar panels has been opened in the French village of Normandy.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. ICC Awards 2016:

i. RavichandranAshwin has won both the ICC Cricketer of the Year and the ICC Test cricketer of the Year award after he was named as the only Indian in ICC’s Test Team of the Year. 

ii.ViratKohli was named the captain of the ICC ODI Team of the Year. 

iii.Misbah-Ul-Haq won the ICC Spirit of Cricket Award at the 2016 ICC Awards as he became the first Pakistan player to win the award. 

2. Argentina win FIFA Team of the Year title:FIFA has released the final rankings of 2016, with Argentina reclaiming the team of the year title from Belgium, finishing with 1634 points to top FIFA’s rankings.  

3.India wins bronze at women's U18 Hockey Asia Cup: India has defeated South Korea 3-0 to secure the bronze medal at the 4th Women's U18 Asia Cup 2016 hockey tournament in Bangkok on 22 December 2016.

4.Jeje wins best footballer of the year award by AIFF:Indian fotballer Jeje Lalpekhlua has named 2016's All India Football Federation (AIFF) Player of the Year, an award given to the best footballer in the country.  

Daily GK Updates - 22nd December, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Delhi Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung resigns: Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung has submitted his resignation to the Government of India. The tenure of Jung, who took the charge of the office on July 9, 2013, was scheduled to end in 2018.

2. GirijaVaidyanathan appointed Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu: GirijaVaidyanathan, Additional Chief Secretary and Commissioner of Land Administration, has been appointed Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu in place of P. Rama Mohana Rao.

3. Cabinet approves creation of Indian Enterprise Development Service (IEDS): The Government of India has approved cadre review and formation of the Indian Enterprise Development Service (IEDS) in the Office of the Development Commissioner, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.

4. Ministry of Minority Affairs launches website for Haj Pilgrims: Minister for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi launched the trilingual website www.haj.gov.in relating to Haj Matters. The website is in Hindi, Urdu and English languages.

5. Gujarat Government announces Aerospace and Defence Policy 2016: Gujarat government has announced Aerospace and Defence Policy-2016 to attract investment into fields of aerospace and defence design, development and manufacturing in the state. Under the policy, investors will be entitled to get 100 % reimbursement on stamp duty and registration charges paid for purchase, lease or mortgage of land meant for setting up the facility in the areas of Aerospace and Defence.

6. India surpasses United Kingdom to become the 5^th largest economy: As per the report published in Forbes magazine, India has overtaken the United Kingdom in terms of the size of the economy, first time in 150 years. With this major shift in world economy, India has now become the fifth largest country in terms of the size of the economy after the United States, China, Japan and Germany.

7. Priyanka Chopra becomes the 1^st Indian to be made Pantene’s global ambassador.

8. Hrithik Roshan launches book series for visually impaired children: Actor Hrithik Roshan has launched a children's book series 'Tactabet', written in Braille format, which is being published for visually impaired people. 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. China inks deal with BRICS bank approving 525 mnyuan loan: China has inked an agreement with the New development bank (NDB) set up by the BRICS approving a 525 million yuan loan for a solar power project in the country. The new lender announced a 525 million yuan loan for the Shanghai Lingang Distributed Solar Power Project.

2. Japan successfully launches solid fuel rocket: Japan's space agency has announced successfully launched a 26-metre-long rocket named Epsilon-2, which put a satellite that helps study radiation belts in orbit. Epsilon-2 is part of a new generation of solid propellant rockets which can reduce launch costs up to one-third.

3. Government of Iran unveils Bill of Right: Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani has unveiled a landmark Bill of rights guaranteeing freedom of speech, protest, fair trials and privacy. Although many of the rights are already enshrined in Iran’s constitution written after the 1979 Islamic revolution, Rouhani said it offered the first clear list of principles that could be used to check the performance of state institutions.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

1. RBI slaps fine on 5 foreign banks for violating FEMA rules: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed the penalty on five foreign banks, including Deutsche Bank and Standard Chartered Bank, for violation of its instructions on reporting requirements of the FEMA on 21st December 2016. The three other banks are: Bank of America, Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi and The Royal Bank of Scotland.They have been fined for violation of its instructions on reporting requirements of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA).

SPORTS:

2. Bank of Baroda announces support for FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017, 1^st Indian company to do so.

3. Arjun Bhati wins Kids Golf World Championships: A 12-year-old Arjun Bhati has outshined India in the Kids Golf World Championship 2016 in Malaysia defeating South Africa's MethuDenish to secure the first position.

4. India squad for 2^nd T20 World Cup for Blind 2017 announced.

AWARDS:

5. Sahitya Akademi Award 2016: Mumbai-based writer Jerry Pinto, Tamil author Vannadhasan, Hindi writer Nasira Sharma are among 24 others declared the winners of the SahityaAkademi awards 2016. Sharma’s Hindi novel Paarijat, Pinto’s Em and the Big Hoom and Vannadhasan’sOruSru Isai won them the literary honour.