Daily GK Updates - 8th October, 2017

                 NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Indian Air Force celebrates 85th anniversary: Air Force Day 2017 is being observed annually on 8th October across India.This is the 85th celebration of the Day that began in 1932.The Indian Air Force has displayed various Aircraft at Air Force Station Hindan air base near Delhi with parade and air display.

2.Prime Minister launches Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched the Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI) at Vadnagar in Gujarat.Through this programme, the union govt. aims to reach each & every child under two years of age and all those pregnant women who have been left uncovered under the routine immunization programme.The special drive will focus on improving immunization coverage in select districts and cities to ensure full immunization to more than 90% by December 2018

3.President Kovind launches Rs.100crore clean water initiative:President Ram Nath Kovind launched spiritual leader Mata Amritanandamayi Math’s Rs.100crore clean water initiative for rural India in Kerala’s Kollam.He inaugurated Jivamritam filtration system which will provide drinking water to 1crore villagers across India.

                

                    INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1.Kim Jong-un promotes sister to centre of power: Kim Jong Un’s sister, Kim Yo Jong, was made an alternate member of the politburo – the top decision-making body over which Kim Jong Un presides.Twenty Eight year old Yo-Jong was blacklisted along with other North Korean officials by the US treasury in January this year over severe human rights abuses.

2.World Post Day is being observed: World Post Day is celebrated each year on 9th October, the anniversary of the establishment of the Universal Postal Union in 1874 in the Swiss Capital, Bern.It was declared World Post Day by the UPU Congress held in Tokyo, Japan in 1969.Since then, countries around the world participate annually in the celebrations.

                              OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1.Magicbricks launches India’s first online property bidding platform: Magicbricks announced the launch of India’s first online bidding platform for residential and commercial properties and tied-up with developer M3M for the inaugural ‘My Bid, My Home’.Magicbricks has been recently awarded the standardization, Testing, and Quality Certification (STQC) by the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, making it the country’s only real estate portal eligible for a biding platform for properties.

SPORTS:

1. Samiya wins gold at U-15 Asian Junior Championship: Indian shuttler Samiya Imad Farooqui clinched the gold medal at the Under-15 women's singles competition at the Asian Junior Championship in Yangon, Myanmar.She defeated Indonesia's Widjaja Stephani 15-21, 21-17, 21-19.Earlier, P V Sindhu had won the gold in U-19 Asia Junior championship in 2012 at Gimcheon, South Korea.

2. RMV Gurusaidutt has won the 2017 men singles title at the Bulgarian International Future Series Tennis tournament: Commonwealth Games bronze medallist RMV Gurusaidutt has clinched the men’s singles title at the Bulgarian International Future Series tournament on October 9, 2017. Gurusaidutt, who has been out of action since the US Open in July 2016 due to an injury, defeated Muhammed Ali Kurt in the final by 21- 17, 21-16.

AWARDS/HONOURS:

1. Richard Thaler wins 2017 Nobel prize in economics : The Nobel economics prize 2017 has been awarded to Richard Thaler (72-years)of the University of Chicago for his contributions to behavioural economics.Thaler is an American economist & the Ralph and Dorothy Keller Distinguished Service Professor of Behavioral Science and Economics at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.The 9-million-kronor (1.1 million US Dollars) prize was awarded to the academic for his understanding the psychology of economics.Behavioural economics, a research field in which insights from psychological research are applied to economic decision making.

 

Daily GK Updates - 7th October, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao led to improvement in sex ratio at birth: According to the union govt., there has been an improvement in sex ratio at birth in 104 districts selected for the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme.Out of the total 161 districts where the programme is being implemented, an increasing trend in Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) is visible in 104 districts.Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme aims at checking female infanticide and educating the girl child.Now. Ministry of Women and Child Development plans to extend this programme to all the districts of the country with the focus on the 56 of the total 161 districts that have shown a decline in SRB.­­

2. World Dental Show-2017 opens in Mumbai: The three days international exhibition 'World Dental Show 2017' has been opened in Mumbai, showcasing the evolving global technologies and techniques in dentistry.Indian Dental Association (IDA) hosted the exhibition which has witnessed participation from the international exhibitors are displaying their latest dental wares in 250 well-furnished stalls.Through WDS 2017, an unparalleled opportunity to learn, share knowledge, socialize and to experience the state-of-the-art technology and equipment related to the world of dentistry

3. ISRO to set up research center in Guwahati: The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) will set up a research center for start-ups, academicians, environmentalists, and entrepreneurs in Guwahati, Assam.ISRO will explore the possibility of using geospatial technology, which includes data generated through global positioning system (GPS), geographical information systems (GIS) and satellite remote sensing for expediting the development of Assam.

4. Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya & UP Sign MoU to boost culture and tourism: Uttar Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh & Meghalaya have signed a MoU under the ‘Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat’ program to boost cultural ties.Under the program, the states will connect with each other to know more about the culture, heritage, and traditions of each other.The programme will enhance the interaction between people of diverse cultures living in different states and union territories, with the objective of promoting greater mutual understanding among them.

                 

                   INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1.US approves sale of THAAD missiles to Saudi: The US State Department has approved the sale of missile system worth over $15 billion to Saudi Arabia.The deal includes 44 THAAD launchers and 360 missiles along with five control stations and radars.

2.Govt reduces GST rates on 27 products and services: The govt introduced a 0.1% GST rate for merchant exporters, offering relief from the full-applicable GST rates.GST on products like sliced dried mangoes and services like zari work is reduced from 12% to 5%.

                              OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1.Vijaya Bank inks MoU with HPCL for Digital Payments: Vijaya Bank has joined a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) for enabling all HPCL retail outlets with BHIM/UPI merchant solutions.This rollout will empower all petrol pump attendants and LPG delivery personnel to accept digital payments.Customers can make payments by scanning a payment QR code (using BHIM Vijaya or any BHIM app) that supports payments via UPI.

SPORTS:

1. John Hastings retires from the Test & ODI Cricket: Australian fast bowler ‘John Hastings’ (31-years) has called it quits from Test Match and ODIs, citing recurring injuries as the reason.Hastings wants to solely focus on T20 cricket.He has represented Australia in 1 test, 29 ODIs and 9 T20Is.In 2016, Hastings was the world's leading ODI fast bowler after picking up 29 wickets in 15 matches.

OBITUARIES:

1.Filmmaker Kundan Shah passes away: The Director Kundan Shah (69-year) passes away due to heart attack in Mumbai.Mr. Shah best known for films like 'Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron' (1983), 'Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa' (1993) and TV shows like 'Nukkad' (1986) and 'Wagle Ki Duniya' (1988).

2.Former union minister Purushottam Lal Kaushik passes away: Former Union minister and socialist leader Purushottam Lal Kaushik (87-years) passed at his home in Chhattisgarh's Mahasamund district.He had served as tourism and civil aviation minister (1977- 1979) and Information and Broadcasting Ministry (July 1979-January 1980).

Daily GK Updates - 6th October, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. 14th India-EU Summit in New Delhi: The 14th India and European summit held in New Delhi, to remove hurdles to implementation of free trade agreement.Donald Franciszek Tusk (President of European Council) and Jean-Claude Juncker (President of the European Commission) accompanied by a high-level delegation including EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European commission Federica Mogherini.India-EU Business Event will also be organized, on the sidelines of the Summit.

2.First ASEAN India Music Festival to be held at Purana Qila today: The First ever three-day ASEAN-India Music Festival to be held at Purana Quila in New Delhi.The Festival aims to boost cultural influences among the peoples of the ASEAN member states and India.The festival has been organized by the External Affairs ministry in collaboration Culture Ministry to celebrate the 25th anniversary of ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations.

3. India’s first-ever Industrial Training Institute for the Divyangans will come up in Assam: India’s first-ever Industrial Training Institute (ITI) for the Divyangans will come up in Assam. Recently, the foundation stone for the institute was laid at Dibrugarh ITI Complex at Borboruah in Assam. As per the guidelines of National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT), the ITI will have sixty seats for three different trades with 20 seats per trade. The three different trades included in the curriculum are Computer Operator and Programming Assistant, Cutting and Sewing Technology and Hair & Skin Care.

                      

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Mongolian Parliament Confirms New Prime Minister: The Mongolian Parliament confirmed Ukhnaa Khurelsukh as the country's new Prime Minister (30th).His confirmation comes after Jargaltulga Erdenebat was voted out of office over allegations of corruption and incompetence.Earlier, Mr. Khurelsukh served in the army and joined the parliament as a member in 2000.

2. India & Ethiopia sign agreements on trade, communication: India and Ethiopia have signed agreements to boost bilateral ties after talks between President Ram Nath Kovind and his Ethiopian counterpart Mulatu Teshome on trade, communication, and media at Addis Ababa(Ethiopia).The President thanked Ethiopia for its participation in the International Solar Alliance (ISA) to provide a dedicated platform for cooperation among solar resource-rich countries and promote the use of solar energy. They also addressed the India-Ethiopia Business Dialogue and released a book titled ‘India-Ethiopia: 70 years of Diplomatic Relations’.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1.FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017 starts from today: FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017 kicks off with four opening day matches to be played in Delhi (Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium) and Mumbai (Dr. DY Patil stadium).This is the first time that India will be participating in a FIFA World Cup.India are placed in a tough Group A along with United States, Colombia, and two-time champions Ghana.

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1.Airtel gets approval of Ghana Government over Tigo merger: Bharti Airtel has received Ghana’s National Communication Authority’s approval for the merger between Bharti Ghana (Airtel) and Millicom Ghana (Tigo).This merger will result in an entity which will be the second largest mobile network operations in the country.

2.Bangladesh has signed a loan deal with India for its infrastructure and social sector development: Bangladesh has signed $4.5 billion third line of credit (LoC) agreement with India for its infrastructure and social sector development on October 4, 2017. The new Indian line of credit will be used to fund 17 major projects in Bangladesh, which include electricity, railroads, roads, shipping and ports. As with previous LoC agreements, Bangladesh will pay an interest rate of 1 % a year. It will have 20 years to pay back the loans, with a grace period of five years. Under the agreement, Bangladesh would have to purchase 65 to 75% of the services, goods or works from the Indian market with the money to be provided under the third LoC following the precedence of the previous two nearly identical agreements. Bangladesh has two other LoCs open with India: the first one was signed in 2010, and the second one in 2016. These LOCs are collectively worth Tk3.06 billion, but till last year, Bangladesh government has been able to use only USD 576 million.

 AWARDS/HONOURS:

 1.Gauri Lankesh Fetches Anna Politkovskaya Award: Late Indian Journalist- activist Gauri Lankesh (first Indian Journalist) has been awarded the Reach All Women in War (RAW) Anna Politkovskaya Award alongside, Gulalai Ismail, a women's rights activist from Pakistan.Gauri Lankesh was fatally shot by unidentified attackers in Bengaluru in September.The Anna Politkovskaya Award was established to remember and honour Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya, who was murdered in Moscow on October 7, 2006 over her reportage of the second war in Chechnya.

2. Kazuo Ishiguro wins 2017 Nobel Literature Prize: The 2017 Nobel Prize in Literature has been awarded to British writer Kazuo Ishiguro (64-Year), whose best-known novels include ‘The Remains of the Day" and "Never Let Me Go’.Mr. Ishiguro was born in Japan and his family moved in 1960 to the United Kingdom when he was five.The awards are presented every year on 10th December, the anniversary of the death of Swedish industrialist Alfred Nobel.The amount of money awarded depends on the income of the Nobel Foundation that year.

3. Nobel Peace Prize 2017 awarded to ICAN: International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize - 2017 for its work to draw attention to the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of any use of nuclear weapons and for its ground-breaking efforts to achieve a treaty-based prohibition of such weapons.ICAN is a coalition of non-governmental organizations (NGO) from around 100 different countries around the globe.In 2016, Juan Manuel Santos was awarded the Peace Prize “for his resolute efforts to bring the country’s more than 50-year-long civil war to an end”.

Daily GK Updates - 5th October, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. ‘India Rich List 2017’ released: Mukesh Ambani with a net worth of USD 38 billion, topped the India Rich List 2017 for the tenth straight year. Savitri Jindal, with a net worth of USD 7.5 billion ranked at the 16th place, and is the richest woman in India. Savitri Jindal is followed by the Gupta family, which is ranked at the 40th in Forbes magazine’s annual ‘India Rich List 2017’

2. Valmiki Jayanti being observed today: Valmiki Jayanti was observed today across India and people paid their respects to the great writer and poet. Maharishi Valmiki also authored the epic Ramayana.

3. Swayam to offer special course for untrained teachers: The HRD Ministry started a special training course for untrained teachers, designed by NIOS, called Diploma in Elementary Education. The HRD Ministry had announced that ‘untrained teachers’ have to complete the Diploma in Elementary Education course, till 2019. This course would be offered through ‘Swayam’, a platform for online education and knowledge through Dish TV.

4. Environment Education Portal by WWF launched: WWF-India, in partnership with Capgemini, launched One Planet Academy, the first environment education portal for students and teachers in India. The One Planet Academy website is a digital network for schools, teachers and students.

5. Paryatan Parv begins across the country:  A festival of Tourism ‘Paryatan Parv’ is beginning all over the country and continue till 25th of this month. It is being organized with the objective of drawing focus on the benefits of tourism, showcasing the cultural diversity of the country and reinforcing the principle of “Tourism for All”. It will have three main components, Dekho Apna Desh, Tourism for All and Tourism & Governance.

6. National School and College Games to be launched to tap talent: The Sports Minister ‘Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore has announced the launch of National School and College Games to tap talent from the country. The union government has decided to start for the first time the Khelo India National School Games in December 2017 and Khelo India National College Games in January 2018.

7. Khushwant Singh Literary Festival to start in Kasauli: The 6th Khushwant Singh Literary Festival will be held at the Kasauli Club, Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh, from Oct 6 to 8. This year’s theme is ‘70’, marking the seven decades of India’s independence after Partition from Pakistan.

8. Maharashtra to have Samruddhi Corridor: Samruddhi Corridor is a ambitious Mumbai-Nagpur Super Communication Expressway project in Mumbai. The project aims to create state-of-the art road connectivity within a period of three years

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. World Teachers’ Day being observed today: The World Teachers’ Day (WTD) 2017 is being observed across the world on 5th October since 1994. The theme of 2017 World Teachers’ Day is “Teaching in Freedom, Empowering Teachers”.

2. World Space Week – October 4 -10 being observed: World Space Week is being observed all over the world from 4th to 10th October. It was declared as World Space Week in 1999. It was to mark two big events, first, on October 4th, 1957 Sputnik 1 was launched and second, the signing of The Outer Space Treaty on October 10th 1967. World Space Week theme for 2017 is ‘Exploring New Worlds In Space’.

3. Conference of SAARC Speakers: The 8th Conference of the Association of SAARC Speakers and Parliamentarians is being held in Colombo. The three day conference which started on October 4, 2017 is lead by Sumitra Mahajan.

OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. HDFC Life launches service-bot Neo: HDFC Life Insurance Company has launched Neo, a servicing bot for Twitter that uses artificial intelligence for customer service.

The insurer hopes to deploy the bot in answering policy related queries on social media.

2. Strategy to revitalize PPPs in India: The Asian Development Bank, in its report titled “Meeting Asia’s Infrastructure Needs”, has estimated that $4.36 trillion is needed to fix India’s infrastructure deficit by 2030. That entails more than $300 billion of spending every year for the next 13 years, as compared to recent spend rates of $120 billion per year.

3. WEF’s India summit begins: World Economic Forum’s 33rd India Economic Summit started on 4th october, in partnership with industry body CII. The theme of the conference is ‘Creating Indian Narratives on Global Challenges’.

BANKING/FINANCE:

4. Senior citizens and differently-abled to be taken care of-RBI: According to the Reserve Bank of India, banks should remain sensitive to requirements of senior citizens as well as differently-abled persons and should not turn them away from branches in order to promote digital transactions. Banks are discouraging or turning away senior citizens and differently abled persons from availing banking facilities in branches.