Daily GK Updates - 11th February, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. PM Modi Inaugurates Visakhapatnam Strategic Petroleum Reserve Facility  : Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated to the nation the 1.33 million metric ton capacity Visakhapatnam Strategic Petroleum Reserve facility at Guntur in Andhra Pradesh. He also inaugurated Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited’s Vashishta and S1 development project located in the Krishna-Godavari Offshore Basin.Mr Modi also laid the foundation stone for setting up of a new terminal of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) at Krishnapatnam.

2. Centre allocates Rs 59 crore for Asiatic Lion conservation in Gujarat's Gir : The Ministry of Environment launched a three-year Asiatic Lion Conservation Project in collaboration with the state of Gujarat. The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) allocated Rs 59 crores, which will focus on better management of the lion habitat, disease control and veterinary care for them.Gujarat government also implemented Rs 80 crore that will be spent on specialised veterinary hospitals and full-fledged ambulances for lions.

3. Himalayan Cloud Observatory Set Up In Tehri : A Himalayan Cloud Observatory is set up in Tehri district of Uttarakhand with a motive to forecast and monitor cloudburst incidents in the Himalayan region and help to minimize the damage.The Observatory is established in the SRT campus, in Tehri and is in the testing period. This is the second observatory in the country to monitor cloud activities by the Indian Science and Technology Department and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur that can function in high-altitudes.

4. Great Indian Bustard Announced As The New Mascot For COP-13 : Union Environment Minister, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, announced the Great Indian Bustard (GIB) as the mascot for the 13th Conference of Parties (COP) of the UN Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS) to be held in Gujarat in 2020. He also revealed that the bird has been fondly named by the ministry as 'Gibi'.CMS-COP 13 is a global platform for the conservation and sustainable use of migratory species and their habitats. It has over 120 participating countries. 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1.INS Trikand Participates In Exercise ‘Cutclass Express 2019’ : INS Trikand, the frontline warship of the Indian Navy, participated in a multi-national training exercise ‘CUTCLASS EXPRESS 2019’. The annual Exercise Cutlass Express is sponsored by U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) and conducted by Naval Forces Africa (NAVAF). It is the eighth iteration of the annual multinational maritime exercise and was held in the vicinity of Djibouti, Mozambique and Seychelles.

2. Hindi Included As 3rd Official Court Language in Abu Dhabi : Abu Dhabi has decided to include Hindi as the third official language used in its courts, alongside Arabic and English, as part of a move designed to improve access to justice. The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) announced that it has extended the adoption of interactive forms of statement of claims filed before courts by including Hindi.

3. Multinational Maritime Exercise ‘Aman 19’ Commenced In Karachi : The 5-day multinational maritime exercise ‘AMAN-19’ in which 46 nations participated from all over the world was formally commenced at Pakistan Navy Dockyard, with a colorful flag hoisting ceremony.Principal aim to conduct this exercise is to facilitate a forum of understanding of each other’s maritime concepts and operation cultures and to produce ways and means to confront common threat at sea.

4. BAFTA Awards 2019 Announced : Netflix drama 'Roma' won the top prize at the 72nd edition of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts or BAFTA awards. However, with seven BAFTAs in its kitty, director Yorgos Lanthimos's The Favourite emerged the top winner in 2019.

5. Grammy Awards 2019 Announced : The 61st Annual Grammy Awards ceremony was held at Staples Center in Los Angeles.The show was hosted by Singer-songwriter Alicia Keys.

OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. MOU Signed Between EIL and Mongolia for Project Management Consultancy For Oil refinery : An MoU was signed between Engineers India Limited (EIL) and Mongolia for Project Management Consultancy for oil refinery. EIL is a PSU under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. The agreement was signed on the sidelines of PETROTECH-2019 event at Greater Noida, UP. The MoU is for Project Management Consultancy services for construction of an oil refinery plant in Mongolia by EIL. 

BANKING/FINANCE:

1. ADB Debuts In Offshore Philippine Peso Bond MarketThe Asian Development Bank :  (ADB) has raised 5.2204 billion Philippine pesos ($100 million) from a new issue of local currency bonds in the international market. Currency-linked bonds are denominated in the local currency but settled in US dollars. The bonds pay a fixed interest rate of 5.25% and have a final maturity of 4 years. ADB issued bonds in the Philippine domestic capital market in 2005 and 2007 but this issue is the first time it has mobilized Philippine peso funding from international investors through a currency-linked structure.

SPORTS:

1. Corentin Moutet Clinched Chennai Open ATP Challenger Title : In Tennis, France’s Corentin Moutet has clinched the Chennai Open ATP Challenger tournament title after beating Andrew Harris of Australia in the singles final.It was the second Challenger title for Moutet, who received 80 ATP points, while Andrew got 48 ATP points.

Daily GK Updates - 10th February, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.PM Narendra Modi inaugurates PETROTECH-2019 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi has formally inaugurated the three-day International Oil and Gas Conference ‘PETROTECH-2019’ (13th) at India Expo Mart in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. The ‘PETROTECH-2019’ is being organised under the aegis of the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Government of India. India is the 3rd largest consumer of crude oil and petroleum products.

2. 1st of 15 Chinook heavy-lift helicopters arrived in India : According to Boeing (the maker of Chinooks), the first of the fifteen Chinook heavy-lift helicopter ordered by the Indian Air Force (IAF) received at the Mundra Port in Gujarat. Now  Chinooks  (carry around 10 tonnes of load) will be transported to its home base at Chandigarh.Chinooks have a unique twin-engine, tandem rotor design which has become one of the most visibly recognised symbols of the American armed forces.

3. PM Narendra Modi lays the foundation for Sela Tunnel : Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the strategically important Sela Tunnel Project  (costing - Rs 687 crore) in Arunachal Pradesh.It will give a fillip to the overall development of the area as it will provide all-weather connectivity to Tawang and other areas.This tunnel will cut across and reduce the distance between Dirang and Tawang by 10 km.The project is being constructed by the Border Roads Organisation(BRO) in the next three years.

4. Festival of Basant Panchami is being celebrated across the nation : Basant Panchami festival (Saraswati Puja) is being celebrated every year on the fifth day of the month of 'Magha' and marks the beginning of the spring season.On this day, Hindus wearing yellow clothes visit temples and pray to Goddess Saraswati (the goddess of knowledge).

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1.Egypt's President El-Sissi elected as chairman of the African Union : Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi (65-years) has been elected as the chairman of the African Union at the continental body's summit in Ethiopia.El-Sisi's election brings an end the one-year chairmanship of Rwanda's President Paul Kagame.

2. Multinational Maritime Exercise ‘Aman 19’ commenced in Karachi : The five-day Multinational Maritime Exercise "AMAN-19"commenced in Karachi with the slogan “Together for Peace”.The flag of 46 countries including Pakistan presented a march-past.According to Pakistan Vice Admiral Amjad Khan Niazi, it is a step to enhance cooperation, take benefit from mutual advantage and understand each other. Ambassadors and delegates of various countries are also present in the inauguration ceremony.

3. 10th February: World Pulses Day : The first-ever World Pulses Day was celebrated on 10th February 2019.The day designated United Nations global event to celebrate pulses worldwide and continue the important gains made with the 2016. International Year of Pulses.Pulses are a type of leguminous crops that are harvested solely for the dry seed and does not include crops that are harvested green.

4.  International Day of Women and Girls in Science being observed : International Day of Women and Girls in Science is being observed to highlight the work of female scientists throughout its divisions and agencies.The Theme of 2019 is "Investment in Women and Girls in Science for Inclusive Green Growth".At present, less than 30% of researchers worldwide are women.Globally, female students’ enrolment is particularly low in ICT (3%), natural science, mathematics and statistics (5%) and in engineering, manufacturing and construction (8%).

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. Spin legend Shane Warne named brand ambassador of Rajasthan Royals : Australia spin legend Shane Warne has been named the brand ambassador of Rajasthan Royals (RR) for the Indian Premier League (IPL)-2019.Warne went on to captain Rajasthan Royals for four seasons until 2011, after which he retired from all forms of cricket.Besides, the Rajasthan Royals has also decided to change its jersey colour from blue to pink this year.

2. India's young paddlers clinch four medals : India's young paddlers clinching four medals (1-gold, 2- silver and 1- bronze) at the Bahrain Junior and Cadet Open Table Tennis tournament in Manama, Bahrain In the final, The India-A team of Suhana Saini and Anargya Manjunath proved too strong for India-B and clinched the Gold.In the Junior girls' competition, the Indian team of Manushree Patil and Swastika Ghosh beat three teams before losing to eventual champions Russia to settle for a Silver.

BANKING/FINANCE:

1. RBI slaps fine of Rs 1 crore on State Bank of India : The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has slapped Rs 1 crore penalty on the country's largest lender State Bank of India  (SBI) for not monitoring the end use of funds in respect of one of its borrowers.RBI in the exercise of powers conferred under Section 47 A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 has levied a penalty.SBI does not share details of the borrower and the loan amount given to the borrower.

Daily GK Updates - 9th February, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Indian Coast Guard signs MoU with Airport Authority of India : Indian Coast Guard and the Airport Authority of India (AAI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for coordination in the aeronautical and maritime search and rescue operations.The objective of the MoU to strengthening mutual interactions, interoperability and validating procedures during the conduct of search and rescue operations.Now, the operations will be conducted jointly by the Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) Kolkata, Airport Authority of India (AAI) and Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Port Blair.

2. 3-day Krishi Kumbh begins at Motihari in Bihar : The Bihar Governor Lalji Tandon and Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh jointly inaugurated three-day Krishi Kumbh in Motihari.This is the largest Krishi Kumbh of Eastern India.The objective of Krishi Kumbh is to promote modern techniques and diversification in agriculture that could help in doubling farmers income.About two hundred different stalls in the fair will inform farmers about modern agricultural technologies.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. India Pavilion inaugurated at 69th Berlin International Film Festival : Director European Film Market (EFM) Matthijis Wouter Knol has inaugurated the Indian Pavilion at 69th Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) 2019 at Berlin, Germany (7th – 17th February). The stakeholders of EFM will actively consider participating in the Golden Jubilee year of IFFI.India Pavilion is being acted as a platform to popularize Indian Cinema in the overseas market and facilitate new business opportunities.Indian Mission in Berlin would undertake constant engagement in future with Indian and German stakeholders at the European Film Market.

2. 2018 fourth warmest year on record : An independent analysis by NASA & the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have found that earth's global surface temperatures in 2018 were the fourth warmest since 1880. Globally, 2018's temperatures rank behind those of 2016, 2017 and 2015. The past five years are collectively the warmest years in the modern record. It found that 2018 global temperatures were 0.79 degrees Celsius above the 20th-century average.

3.  India Jumps eight places to 36th on International IP index 2019 : India has jumped eight places to 36th position on the International Intellectual Property (IP) Index, which analyses the IP climate in 50 global economies, this year.India’s eight-point jump in 2019 from 44th position in 2018 is the highest increase among 50 nations mapped by the index.The US, the UK, Sweden, France and Germany remained the top five economies on the intellectual property index in 2019 retaining their spots from the last year.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. India's Rohit Sharma becomes highest run-scorer in T20 cricket : India's Rohit Sharma (31-year) has become the highest run scorerin the Twenty20 International history while playing against New Zealand in Auckland.Sharma overtook New Zealand's Martin Guptill, who has scored 2,272 runs in 74 innings in T20I.He also became first India and the third overall player to smash 100 sixes in T20 cricket.

2. Ramit Tandon wins Seattle Open : The top-seeded Indian squash player Ramit Tandon defeated Egyptian Mohamed El Sherbini in the finals to win PSA challenger squash Tour event ‘Seattle Open’.He rose to his career high ranking of 58 in the latest February list.Mr. Tandan won his first PSA title in the new year and fourth title overall in his career.

3. IPC lifts Russia's doping ban : According to the International Paralympics Committee (IPC), it will conditionally readmit Russia by next month. The ban will be lifted by 15th, providing the Russian Paralympic Committee (RPC) adhere to strict criteria.In August 2016 the IPC suspended the RPC because it was necessary and proportionate to the situation,they faced and essential to ensure a clean sport

Daily GK Updates - 8th February, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.Chennai Police launches mobile app ‘Digicop’ : Tamil films actor Vijay Serthupathi has launched a mobile app “DigiCop” at the Commissioner’s office, Vepery in Chennai. Using the App, people can track the status of stolen two-wheelers and cell phones (details of 18,000 mobile phones stored), know the nearest police station and traffic alerts. Serthupathi also released a DVD on CCTV awareness and several other police campaigns to make the police department people friendly.

2. Pradeep Singh Kharola appointed Civil Aviation Secretary : Senior IAS Officer Pradeep Singh Kharola (IAS officer -1985 batch- Karnataka cadre) has been appointed as the Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Kharola will take over from Rajiv Nayan Choubey. Currently, Mr. Kharola is the chief managing director (CMD) and Chairperson of Air India (from 9th January, 2018).

3. Dinkar Gupta takes over charge of DGP Punjab : Senior IPS officer Dinkar Gupta (1987 batch IPS officer) has taken over the charge of Director General of the Punjab Police at a simple ceremony at Chandigarh.He succeeds current DGP Suresh Arora.Earlier, Mr Gupta was posted as Director General of Police, Intelligence, Punjab.Mr. Gupta had also served as Senior Superintendent of Police of Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur districts for more than seven years.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1.5th India-Bangladesh joint consultative committee meeting held in New Delhi : The 5th India-Bangladesh Joint Consultative Committee Meeting was held in New Delhi.Sushma Swaraj (India’s External Affairs Minister) and Dr. A. K. Abdul Momen (Foreign Affairs Minister of Bangladesh) co-chaired the meeting. The last Joint Consultative Committee Meeting between the two countries was held in October 2017 at Dhaka (Bangladesh).

2. American members of US-India CEO forum announced : US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross has announced Ajay Banga (MasterCard CEO) and Steve Mollenkopf (Qualcomm CEO) as the American private sector members of the US-India CEO Forum.The first meeting of the forum will be held in New Delhi (on 14th February).The US-India CEO Forum is critical to the fruitful commercial relationship and strong economic ties between the two great nations.

3. Francois Laborde Conferred France’s Highest Civilian Honour : Father Francois Laborde (92-year) was conferred the Légion d’Honneur (Legion of Honour), the highest civilian award of France, in recognition of his work for specially-abled children.He is the third person from the state to have been awarded the Legion of Honor after Satyajit Ray (film maestro- in 1987) and Soumitra Chatterjee(actor).Father Laborde had set up Howrah South Point, an organisation working for the development of specially-abled children, the destitute and the most deprived sections of the society.He was entitled by the Alexandre Ziegler (French Ambassador to India).

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1.Mirabai Chanu notched up gold at EGAT Cup in Thailand : World champion Indian weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu (24-year) notched up a gold medal (in 48kg category) at the EGAT Cup in Thailand. Chanu (from Manipuri) won the 48kg category gold with an effort of 192 kg in the silver level Olympic qualifying event. She lifted 82 kg in snatch and 110 kg in clean and jerk to finish on top of the podium.

2. Smriti Mandhana scores India’s fastest-ever T20 fifty : Indian left-handed batswoman Smriti Mandhana (22-year) scored 50 off 24 deliveries (India vs NZ - T20I in Wellington) to register the fastest T20I fifty by an Indian woman.She bettered her own record of a fifty in 25 balls, which she created in 2018 against England.

Daily GK Updates - 7th February, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. CCEA approves Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development scheme of Prasar Bharti : The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved the Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development scheme of Prasar Bharti.An amount of 1054 Crore rupees have been approved for a three years period.CCEA also approved the creation of Agri-Market infrastructure fund for development and up-gradation of Gramin Agriculture Markets.A corpus of 2 thousand crore rupees will be created with NABARD.CCEA also approved the continuation of the Central Sector Scheme of Exploration of Coal and Lignite for a period of 3 years from 2017-18.

2. Smriti Irani launches India Size project in Mumbai : The Textile Minister Smriti Irani has launched the India Size project (first-of-its-kind project in the history of the country) in Mumbai.The objective of the India Size to arrive at a standard Indian Size for the ready-to-wear clothing industry.India size project will benefit manufacturers, consumers and generate data which will help tap into the potential of the sector.The Minister also launched a Study of Apparel Consumption in India, study report will release by July 2019.

3. Arunachal's Nyishi tribe celebrates Boori Boot Yollo festival : The Nyishi tribe of Arunachal Pradesh is celebrating its Boori Boot Yollo festival (52nd) to welcome spring and a successful harvest. Boori Boot Yollo is observed every year in the month of February. The festival witnessed the grand display of Punu/Jajin and Boori Yapa dance.

4. BPRD to organize 2nd National Conference of Micro Missions of National Police Mission : Former Governor of Jammu and Kashmir N. N. Vohra has inaugurated the 2nd National Conference of Micro Missions of National Police Mission in New Delhi.The conference has been organised by the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD).It will discuss the issues of skills and competence at the grass-root level, Attitudinal changes in Police, Gender sensitization, harnessing technology and Community Policing.

5. Cabinet approves the establishment of Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog : The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal for the establishment of Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog for conservation, protection and development of cows and their progeny.It will lead to the development of the cattle population in the country including the development and conservation of indigenous breeds.Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog was announced in the budget on the 1st of this month.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Trump nominates US treasury diplomat David Malpass to head World Bank : Donald Trump (US President) has nominated senior Treasury official ‘David Malpass’(62-years) as the chief of the World Bank for a five-year term. He would replace Jim Yong Kim, if voted by the Directors of the World Bank Group. Traditionally, the World Bank Group President has always been an American citizen nominated by the United States (the largest shareholder in the World Bank Group).At present, David Malpass is the Under Secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs.

2. Macedonia signs accord to join NATO : Macedonia formally signed an agreement to join NATO (the North Atlantic Treaty Organization) to become the 30th member of the US-led alliance.According to Macedonia’s Foreign Minister Nikola Dimitrov, the country will never walk alone once in the alliance.The admittance of a new member highlighted that all European nations who meet the entrance criteria could join the regional alliance.The Macedonia-NATO accord follows a deal with Greece ending a 27-year-old dispute over Macedonia's name.

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING/FINANCE:

1. RBI cuts repo rate by 25 basis points to 6.25% : The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) decided to reduce the key policy rate or the repo rate by 25 bps to 6.25% in bimonthly policy review of 2018-19.The three-day policy review meeting by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) began headed by RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das in Mumbai.Reduce the policy repo rate under the liquidity adjustment facility (LAF) by 25 basis points from 6.5% to 6.25% with immediate effect.

SPORTS:

1. Vidarbha grab second successive Ranji Trophy Title 2018 : Vidarbha defeated Saurashtra by 78 runs to retain the Ranji Trophy 2018-19 edition (85th season) at the Vidarbha Cricket Association in Nagpur.Left-arm spinner Aditya Sarwate (Vidarbha), with eleven wickets in the match to steer Vidarbha to domestic glory.The Ranji Trophy is a domestic first-class cricket championship played in India between teams representing regional and state cricket associations.

Daily GK Updates - 6th February, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. UP Govt. forms SIT on Sikh riots of Kanpur in 1984 : Uttar Pradesh government has constituted a four-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the circumstances that led to riots in Kanpur in 1984, following the assassination of then prime minister Indira Gandhi.The four-member SIT will be headed by retired UP Director General of Police, Atul, submit its report in 6 months.In August 2017, the apex court had issued a notice to the state government on a petition seeking a SIT probe of the riots.At least 125 people were killed in 1984 riots in Kanpur after the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

2. Indus River dolphin declared as state aquatic animal of Punjab : Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has declared the endangered Indus River dolphin as the state aquatic animal.Dolphin mostly found in the lower parts of the Indus River in Pakistan between Chashma and Kotri barrages in the Indus River.As per the WWF report, the number of dolphins presently is 1816.Punjab has Black Buck as its state animal and Baaj as the official state bird.

3. President Kovind to confer Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards :  President Ram Nath Kovind has given the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards 2017 at Rashtrapati Bhawan. Forty-two artists from the fields of Music, Dance and Theatre has been awarded. In the field of Music, eleven eminent artists have been selected, while nine artists each from Dance and Theatre have been chosen for the award. Ten artists will be awarded in the category of Traditional, Folk and Tribal Music. 

4. Shehri Samridhi Utsav launched across the Country : Shehri Samriddhi Utsav has begun with a series of rallies led by women’s’ Self-Help Group (SHGs), across the length and breadth of the country.These rallies spread awareness about DAY-NULM in urban poor communities.Job Melas and fairs to market the products made by women microentrepreneurs were also organized by many states and will continue over the next two weeks.

5. Kerala becomes 1st state to set up price monitoring and research unit : Kerala has become the first Indian State to set up a Price Monitoring and Research Unit (PMRU) to track violation of prices of essential drugs and medical devices under the Drugs Price Control Order (DPCO).The move comes more than five years after the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) proposed such a system for the States and the Union Territories.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. 6th February: International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation : International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a United Nations-sponsored annual awareness day that takes place on 6th February as part of the UN's efforts to eradicate female genital mutilation.Female genital mutilation (FGM) comprises all procedures that involve altering or injuring the female genitalia for non-medical reasons.It is recognized internationally as a violation of the human rights of girls and women.

2. UAE to build church, mosque named after Saint Francis and Grand Imam : UAE leaders have announced to the construction of the ‘Church of Saint Francis’ and ‘Mosque of Grand Imam Ahmad AI- Tayyeb’ in Abu Dhabi in honour of the two religious’ leaders. They will serve as beacons to uphold the values of tolerance, moral integrity and human fraternity in the UAE. UAE had also granted 55000 squares meters of land for the construction of a Hindu Temple in Abu Dhabi.

3. Dinesh Bhatia appointed as the Ambassador of India to the Republic of Argentina : The Union government has appointed Dinesh Bhatia as the next Ambassador of India to Argentina.Currently, He is the Consulate General of India at Toronto.India’s envoy to Argentina Sanjiv Ranjan has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Colombia.

OTHER UPDATES:

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY:

1.  ISRO launches GSAT31 from French Guiana : India’s communication satellite GSAT-31 has been launched successfully from Kourou Launch Base, French Guiana (at Indian time- 2:31 am). The Ariane-5 (VA 247) rocket placed it in the intended Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit in 42-minutes. It was immediately taken control by Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) scientists from its Hassan facility in Karnataka. GSAT-31 (India’s 40th communication satellite) will provide transponder capacity for DTH television and connectivity to services like VSATs for ATMs, stock-exchanges, Digital Sign.

Daily GK Updates - 5th February, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.Special postage stamp on Kumbh Mela released : Union Minister of state for Communications Mr Manoj Sinha has released a special postage stamp of the Indian Postal Department on Kumbh Mela.It is a commemorative postal stamp (cost-5 rupees) on Second Shahi Snan holy bath of Mauni Amavasya.Mr Sinha said the target to set up Passport Seva Kendra in all Lok Sabha constituencies will be achieved by end of this month.

2. 20th Bharat Rang Mahotsav inaugurated in New Delhi : Minister of State for Culture, Dr Mahesh Sharma has inaugurated the 21-day-long nationwide theatre spectacle ‘Bharat Rang Mahotsav’ in New Delhi.It is the international theatre festival of India, Organized by National School of Drama (NSD).The 20th BRM comes with 111 national and international acts in its basket that includes folk and other traditional theatre forms, invitee plays, and productions by the students of the National School of Drama.The National School of Drama (NSD) is an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India.

3. Kala Ghoda Arts festival inaugurated in Mumbai : India’s largest multi-cultural street festival ‘Kala Ghoda Arts Festival’(KGAF) begins in South Mumbai, Maharashtra.The theme of KGAF 2019 is retrospection. KGAF 2019 has been celebrated in two glorious decades of art and culture through cinema, theatre, dance, literature and sculpture. The festival will end on 10th February 2019.

4. ICT Academy Bridge 2019’ conference inaugurated in Tamil Nadu :  Dr M. Manikandan, Minister for Information Technology of Tamil Nadu has inaugurated ‘ICT Academy Bridge 2019’ conference in the city that The conference was organized under the theme “Fostering India for Industry 4.0”, by ICT Academy. It witnessed more than 1,000 participants from government, industry and academia.

5. CJI Ranjan Gogoi inaugurates Andhra Pradesh High Court : The Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogai has inaugurated the new two-storied building of Andhra Pradesh High Court at Nelapadu in Amaravathy. Amaravati region has 16 court halls and the building costing Rs 150 Crore houses a 2.70 lakh square feet office space.Now, Andhra Pradesh is getting its own court four and half years after the state bifurcation.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. IORA meet on Disaster Risk Management : Twenty-two countries and nine dialogue partners of Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) has been deliberated on developing a draft Work Plan for Disaster Risk Management in IORA at a meeting in New Delhi. They will also discuss the need for establishing a Disaster Risk Management Core Group to take forward the agreed objectives under the Work Plan.

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING/FINANCE:

1. P V Bharathi appointed as the CEO of Corporation Bank :  PV Bharathi has taken charge as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Corporation BankEarlier, Bharathi (first woman CEO of the Corporation bank) was the Executive Director in Canara Bank.She joined as an officer in Canara Bank in 1982 and handled key responsibilities in branches, regional offices, circle offices and the head office.

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme 2018-19 (Series 6) : The Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme 2018-19 (Series 6) has been opened from Monday (continue till 8th Feb 2019).  The issue price of the Bond during this sub ion period will be three thousand three hundred twenty-six rupees per gram with the settlement date of 1st of February. The Centre in consultation with the Reserve Bank of India has decided to allow a discount of 50 rupees per gram from the issue price to those investors who apply online and make the payment through digital mode.

SPORTS:

1. Smriti Mandhana becomes world No.1 women’s ODI batter : As per the latest rankings released by the ICC, Indian women’s cricket team left-handed opener ‘Smriti Mandhana’ (22-years) has become the number-1 batter in latest ICC ODI rankings. Earlier, she was named ICC Women’s Player of the Year 2018.Recently, she played a key role in India’s maiden ODI series on New Zealand soil.In the 15 ODIs, Smriti has played since the beginning of 2018, she has scored two centuries and eight half-centuries.