Daily GK Updates - 14th March, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.India gets first TIR shipment via Chabahar Port from Afghanistan : The first shipment under the United Nations ‘Transports Internationaux Routiers’ (TIR) convention arrived in India from Afghanistan through Iran’s Chabahar Port. The consignments arrived at port of Nhava Sheva, Mumbai and Mundra on 13th March 2019, officials said.

2. M R Kumar appointed LIC Chairman : The Union government appointed M R Kumar as the Chairman of Life Insurance Corporation (LIC). He will succeed MD Hemant Bhargava who had been named interim chairman after VK Sharma's retirement on 31st December 2018. T C Suseel Kumar and Vipin Anand have been appointed as Managing Directors (MD) of the LIC for five years. Currently, MR Kumar is the Zonal Manager, Delhi at LIC while TC Suseel Kumar is Zonal Manager, Hyderabad. Vipin Anand is Zonal Manager of the Western zone.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1.Indian and Pak delegations hold talks on Kartarpur :  the delegations from India and Pakistan are holding talks at Attari border town in Punjab to finalize the modalities for the Kartarpur Corridor. According to MEA spokesman "Talks begin between India and Pakistan to discuss and finalize the modalities for the Kartarpur Corridor, at Attari, Amritsar, that will facilitate Indian pilgrims to visit the holy shrine of Gurudwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur". The issues like alignments of structures essentially from the engineering point of view would also be discussed.

2. World Kidney Day being observed :  World Kidney Day is observed annually on the second Thursday in March. The theme for this year is ‘Kidney Health for Everyone Everywhere’. The day is observed to create awareness on the importance of the kidneys and reducing the frequency and impact of kidney disease. According to the WHO report, 850 million people worldwide are now estimated to have kidney diseases from various causes. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) causes at least 2.4 million deaths per year and is now the 6th fastest growing cause of death.

3. India ranks 11th in gold holding: World Gold Council : India (world’s largest consumer of gold) has the 11th largest gold reserve, with the current holding pegged at 607 tonnes, as per the latest report by the World Gold Council (WGC). The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is included and is third on the list with total gold reserves of 2,814 tonnes. The list is topped by the U.S., which claims of gold reserves of 8,133.5 tonnes, followed by Germany with 3,369.7 tonnes. Italy and France complete the top five list with reserves of a little over 2,400 tonnes each.

4. India, U.S. agree to build six nuclear power plants in India :  India and the U.S. have agreed to build six American nuclear power plants in India, in a boost to  bilateral civil nuclear energy cooperation. The two countries said this in a joint statement issued at the conclusion of the 9th round of India-U.S. Strategic Security Dialogue, co-chaired by Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale and Andrea Thompson, the U.S. Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, on March 13.

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING/FINANCE:

1.RBI to inject liquidity via forex swaps : The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has decided to inject rupee liquidityinto the system through long-term foreign exchange buy/sell swap — a first-of-its-kind instrument used for liquidity management. The RBI would conduct dollar-rupee buy/sell swap auction of $5 billion for a three-year tenor on March 26. This is the first time the central bank is using a foreign exchange auction to augment banking liquidity after generally using bond purchases for the same all these years. RBI has infused more than Rs 2.36 lakh crore through such purchases so far this fiscal. The US dollar amount mobilized through this auction would also reflect in RBI’s foreign exchange reserves for the tenor of the swap while also reflecting in RBI’s forward liabilities,” RBI said.

2. HDFC Bank becomes the 3rd company to cross Rs 6 lakh crore m-cap :  HDFC Bank has become the third listed entity to achieve a market cap of Rs 6 lakh crore after Reliance Industries and TCS. On 13th March 2019, shares of the country’s largest private bank gained 2.6% to hit an all-time high of Rs 2,226. This resulted in the market capitalisation of the bank reaching nearly Rs 6.1 lakh crore for the first time, which makes it more valuable than all the listed public sector banks put together.

3. Bank of Baroda launches child daycare facility at HQ :  Bank of Baroda has launched Crèche – Child Daycare facility within its Mumbai Corporate Office premises. The public sector bank said it will bear 60% of costs for each child, the rest to be borne by parent.

SPORTS:

1. Special Olympics World Games 2019 to begin today at Abu Dhabi in UAE :  Special Olympics World Games 2019 begin at Abu Dhabi in UAE this evening. The event has already made history by welcoming a record-breaking 200 nations at the Games. Of the 200 nations, 195 will compete in the Games and five will observe. More than 2,500 women will fly the flag for their nation, with almost half of them performing in athletics competitions. Saudi Arabia will send female athletes for the first time, with 14 women participating.

OBITUARIES:

1. Formula One director Charlie Whiting has died in Australia :  Formula One race director Charlie Whiting (66-years) has died from a pulmonary embolism three days before the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the Federation for international auto racing, issued a statement saying Whiting died on March 14 morning in Melbourne. A pulmonary embolism is a blockage in the lung, usually caused by a blood clot.

Daily GK Updates - 13th March, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.Dipa Karmakar selected as Barbie Role Model : Indian gymnast Dipa Karmakar (25-year) has been selected as Barbie role model, as the company celebrates its 60th anniversary. Karmakar has been chosen along with 19 other successful women(from 17 countries), included in the collection of Barbie dolls inspired by real-life heroes. She was part of the ‘Shero’ program launched in 2015 by the company.

2. Megha Engineering enters Limca records : Megha Engineering Infrastructure Limited (MEIL) has found a place in the Limca Book of National Records and Asia Book of Records for completing a power sub-station in seven months (normally it takes 15-18 months). NP Kunta sub-station was taken up to connect Ultra Mega Solar Power Plant built in Ananthapur with Power Grid, to facilitate the supply of 1500 MW of electricity.

3. Mizoram Cabinet approves Liquor Prohibition Bill :  The Mizoram state Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Zoramthangahas approved the proposed liquor prohibition bill, 2019 in the state. The bill would be introduced in the state Assembly during the Budget session. There was total prohibition in Mizoram from 1997 till January 2015 with the Mizoram Liquor Total Prohibition Act in force in the state. Earlier, Lal Thanhawla government allowed opening of wine shops in the state from March 2015.

4. C Lalsawta sworn in as Mizoram’s first Lokayukta chairman : Mizoram Governor Jagdish Mukhi administered the oath of office to Mr. C Lalsawta (Retired IAS officer) as the first Chairman of the newly-constituted Lokayukta at Raj Bhavan in Aizawl. Mr. Lalsawta (1981-batch Bihar cadre IAS officer) was the Principal Secretary of the Finance department in the State from 2008 to 2011. The Lokayukta (also Lok Ayukta) is an anti-corruption ombudsman organization in the Indian states.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1.DGCA decides to ground Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft with immediate effect : The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has decided to ground Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft with immediate effect. The decision comes in the wake of Ethiopian Airlines crash (killed all 157 people) in Addis Ababa. The planes will be grounded until appropriate modifications and safety measures are undertaken to ensure their safe operations. Spice Jet has around 12 Boeing 737 Max 8 planes, Jet Airways (5) in its fleet in the country

OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1.  India's internet base crosses 500 million mark :  According to a newly released Kantar IMRB ICUBE report, Internet user base in India has exceeded 500 million marks. It is likely to reach 627 million by the end of 2019. The number of internet users is estimated to be 566 million as of December 2018 (annual growth -18%). The report finds 493 million Indians (total user base-87%) are defined as regular users, having accessed the internet in the last 30 days.

BANKING/FINANCE:

1.Axis Bank names Rakesh Makhija as new Chairman :  Private sector lender Axis Bank has named ‘Rakesh Makhija’ (67-years) as its new Non-Executive (Part-Time) Chairman for a period of three years. Mr. Makhija (Chairman of SKF India) will take over from Sanjiv Mishra(current Axis Bank Chairman), when his term comes to an end on 17thJuly 2019. He has been an Independent Director on the board of Axis since October 2015.

2. Bank of India raises Rs 660 crore by selling shares to employees :  State owned Bank of India (BoI) has raised Rs 660.80 crores by issuing shares to employees under Employee Share Purchase Scheme (ESPS). The bank issued 6,25,52,188 shares of Rs 10 each to eligible employees. It offered a discount of 24.28% on the applicable price to the employees and about 94.70% of the total employees participated in the scheme.

OBITUARIES:

1. Veteran Hindi Newsreader Vinod Kashyap passes away :  Veteran Hindi Newsreader Vinod Kashyap (88-years) passed away following a prolonged illness.

She served All India Radio for about 30 years. The veteran newsreader started her career in Radio as a drama artist

2.  U.S Olympic gold medallist Kelly Catlin passes away :  America’s finest and most remarkable cyclists ‘Kelly Catlin’(23-year) passed away in the USA. Catlin helped a dominant US team to three consecutive world titles in the pursuit between 2016 and 2018. She also won a silver medal in the team pursuit at the 2016 Olympics in Rio.

Daily GK Updates - 12th March, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.MP government issues an ordinance to give 27% quota to OBCs :  The Madhya Pradesh government has issued an ordinance raising reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBC) to 27% (present 14%). The ordinance was sent to Madhya Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel for her assent on. The ordinance could be issued before the Lok Sabha poll model code of conduct comes into effect.

2. Hasmukh Adhia appointed as Chancellor of Gujarat Central University : Former Finance Secretary Hasmukh Adhia (1981-batch Gujarat cadre officer) has been appointed as the Chancellor of Central University of Gujarat for five years term. SA Bari is the current vice chancellor of the Central University of Gujarat. Mr Adhia retired on 30th November 2018. Earlier, the Union government also nominated him as the Chairman of Bank of Baroda(BoB).

3. 'Metro Man' Sreedharan appointed a principal advisor to MRTCs in J&K: The Jammu and Kashmir Governor administration has approved the appointment of ‘E Sreedharan’ (86-years) as the principal advisor to two mass rapid transit systems to be built in Jammu and Kashmir. The governor administration has approved setting up of two MRTCs Jammu Mass Rapid Transit Corporation and the Srinagar Mass Rapid Transit Corporation for the two capital cities. Sreedharan is a retired IES (IRSE) officer and is popularly known as the "Metro Man".

4.  BBC journalist Priyanka Dubey gets Chameli Devi Jain award :  BBC journalist ‘Priyanka Dubey’ has won the ‘Chameli Devi Jain Award-2018’ for an Outstanding Woman Journalist for the year 2018 at a function in Delhi. She was chosen for her multi-faceted, investigative and interrogative reportage. Priyanka Dubey works as a bilingual correspondent with the BBC at its Delhi bureau.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1.International Food and Hospitality fair begins in New Delhi :  The Union Minister for Commerce and Industry ‘Suresh Prabhu’ has inaugurated the International Food and Hospitality fair ‘AAHAR’ (34th edition) at Pragati Maidan (Hall 7-12A) in New Delhi. The five-day fair will feature a wide range of food products, machinery, hospitality and Decoration and Confectionery items from over 560 participants from India and abroad. Around 20 countries, including the US, Russia, China, UK, Germany, Italy and Singapore will participate in the fair.

2.  PM Modi & Sheikh Hasina jointly unveil e-plaques for development projects in Bangladesh :  Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sheikh Hasian (Bangladesh Prime Minister) jointly unveiled e-plaques for development projects in  Bangladesh  (through video conference). Both leaders unveiled e-plaques for the supply of buses and trucks, the inauguration of 36 community clinics, 11 water treatmentplants, and extension of National Knowledge Network to Bangladesh. The National Knowledge Network will connect scholars and research institutes in Bangladesh, to India and the world.

3. New visa agreement between India & Maldives comes into effect :  The new visa agreement between India and Maldives, providing a liberal visa policy for Maldivian citizens seeking medical treatmentas well as education and business opportunities in India, came into force. Under the agreement, Maldivian businessmen and tourists can stay in India for 90 days without a visa. The main aim behind the move is to boost people-to-people ties between the two countries.

4. 116-year-old Japanese woman officially named the oldest person :  Japanese woman, Kane Tanaka (116-years) has been honoured as the world's oldest living person by Guinness World Records. The global authority on records officially recognised Kane Tanaka in a ceremony. The previous oldest living person was another Japanese woman,Chiyo Miyako (117-years) who passed away in July 2018.

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING/FINANCE:

1.  PNB sanctions loans worth Rs 689 crore to 1,600 MSMEs :  Punjab National Bank (PNB) has sanctioned loans worth Rs 689crore to over 1,600 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). It has sanctioned it through the ‘ psbloansin59minutes.com’ portal as part of its effort to promote such industries. Under the Mudra Yojana, the bank has offered loan to over 2.69 lakhsmall entrepreneurs till February 14, 2019. MSMEs through this portal can avail loans of up to Rs 1 crore in 59 minutes or less than an hour.

SPORTS:

1.Zinedine Zidane re-appointed as coach of Spanish football club Real Madrid till 2022 :  Former French football player ‘Zinedine Zidane’ (46-year) has been re-appointed as the coach of Spanish football club Real Madrid(highest-earning football club) till 2022. He replaces Santiago Solari, who was sacked after less than five months in charge. Real Madrid was the highest-earning football club in the world (annual revenue of € 750.9 million) in 2018.

2. Fifth SAFF Women's Championship kicks off in Biratnagar Nepal :  The 2019 SAFF (South Asian Football Federation) Women's Championship (5th edition) was scheduled to be held from in Biratnagar. Nepal (from 12–22 March 2019). The current SAFF members are Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Pakistan Withdraws Participation in 2019 SAFF Women's Championship.

Daily GK Updates - 11th March, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Kerala’s Marayur Jaggery gets Geographical Indication Tag :  Idukki’s The Marayoor Jaggery, the traditional and handmade product from Idukki district of Kerala received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag from the Central Government. The Marayoor jaggery finally managed to get the GI Tag after two years of continuous efforts by the Agricultural Department of the state. The GI tag will provide more windows of opportunity to the traditional sugarcane farmers in Marayoor.

2. WB CM announces a new scheme ‘Yuvashree Arpan’ for employment of youth :  West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee announced a grant of 1 lakh to graduates of the state’s 214 polytechnics and Industrial Training Institutes (ITI), to set up small businesses. The CM also introduced the scheme, Yuvashree Arpan, in Howrah district.

3. NCRB celebrates its 34th Inception Day :  National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has celebrated its 34th Inception Day. National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) formed in 1986 mandated to empower the Indian Police with Information Technology. Bureau is implementing & monitoring agency for implementation of Crime & Criminal Tracking Network System (CCTNS), a Mission Mode Project under the National e-Governance Plan of Government of India.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1.Chief Scientist at WHO :  Soumya Swaminathan has been appointed as the Chief Scientist of the World Health Organisation. She is currently a Deputy Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO) The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that is concerned with international public health. It was established on 7 April 1948, and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. The WHO is a member of the United Nations Development Group.

2. Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue – 2019 : The 2nd edition of Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue (IPRD) – 2019 was held in Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi. The aim is on involving the global strategic community in reviewing India’s opportunities and challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.

OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. Golden Peacock Innovative Product Award – 2019 : ACKO General Insurance was awarded Golden Peacock Innovative Product Award – 2019 for its contextual micro insurance product –’Ola Ride Insurance’. Golden Peacock Awards, instituted by Institute of Directors in 1991, are now regarded as Holy Grail of Corporate Excellence Worldwide. Acko General Insurance is a private sector general insurance company in India. Founded in November 2016, the company received its license from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India in September 2017.

SPORTS:

1. 2019 South Asian Games :  The 2019 South Asian Games (SAG), officially the XIII South Asian Games, is a major multi-sport event will be held in September 2019. The governing body of these games is South Asia Olympic Council (SAOC), formed in 1983. At present, SAG are joined by eight members namely Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

2. 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup :  The 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup will be the 18th tournament of the FIBA Basketball World Cup for men’s national basketball teams. The tournament will be hosted in China and it will mark a new era for the competition as described.

Daily GK Updates - 10th March, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.India’s 17th Lok Sabha elections to be held in 7 phases : The Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora has announced, India’s 17th Lok Sabha elections (largest festival of democracy) will begin from 11th of April this year. Legislative Assembly elections in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha and Sikkim will be held simultaneously with the general elections. The Model Code of Conduct has come into force in the entire country with the announcement of the polls. Ninety crore electorates of 29 states and 7 Union territories will elect 543 Lok Sabha members in seven phases from 11th April to 19th May 2019. The counting will be held on the 23rd of May 2019.

2. Prime Minister Modi attends 50th Raising Day celebrations of CISF :  The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi attended the 50th Raising Day celebrations of Central Industrial Security Forces (CISF), at Indirapuram in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. Prime Minister reviewed the parade of the CISF personnel and presented the service medals for distinguished and meritorious services. He also laid a wreath at the Martyr’s Memorial and signed the visitor’s book. The CISF provides security cover to 300 industrial units, government infrastructure projects and facilities and establishments located all over India.

3. PM Modi flags off Noida City Centre-Electronic City section of Delhi Metro's Blue Line : Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the ‘Noida City Centre-Noida Electronic City section’ (6.6-km) of the Delhi Metro's Blue Line. The Noida City Centre and Noida Electronic City (fully elevated section) consist of six stations - Sector 34, Sector 52, Sector 61, Sector 59, Sector 62 and Noida Electronic City. The metro stretch will benefit the people of Noida a great deal as well as connect the satellite city to Delhi. The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of two thermal Power Plants through video conferencing, 1,320 MW Super Thermal Power Project at Khurja (Bulandshahar) and the 1,320 MW thermal power plant at Buxar (Bihar).

4. Uttarakhand CM launches free milk scheme for Anganwadi children : Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat has launched the Mukhyamantri Anchal Amrit Yojana in Dehradun. Under the Amrit Yojana, 2.5 lakh children (at 20,000 Anganwadi kendras) will be given 100 ml milk twice a week for free in the state. Flavoured, sweet, skimmed milk powder will be made available to the 20,000 Anganwadi Kendra across the state.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Palestinian president appoints Mohammad Shtayyeh as new PM :  Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has chosen Dr. Mohammad Shtayyeh (60-years) as the new prime minister of Palestinian. Earlier in January, Mr Abbas accepted the resignation of outgoing Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah. Earlier, Mr Shtayyeh served as minister of housing and construction in addition to serving as head of the Palestinian Economic Council for Development and Reconstruction (PECDAR). Mr. Shtayyeh is an economist with a PhD from the University of Sussex in England.

2.  Ethiopian Airlines grounds Boeing 737 MAX 8 fleet after crash :  An Ethiopian Airlines had grounded its Boeing 737 MAX 8 fleetafter a crash that killed 157 people on board including eight crew. The crash occurred around the town of Bishoftu (60-kilometre south-east of the Addis Ababa) shortly after take-off from the Bole International Airport, Ethiopia. The Boeing 737 Max-8 was carrying passengers from 33 countries.

OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. ACKO General Insurance honoured with Golden Peacock Award 2019 :  ACKO General Insurance has been awarded the coveted ‘Golden Peacock Innovative Product Award – 2019’ for their contextual microinsurance product “Ola Ride Insurance” in a ceremony in Dubai. The award was presented to Mr. Biresh Giri at an event in Dubai. Acko introduced the revolutionary Ola Ride Insurance ‘a first of its kind in the Indian market’ in March 2018. The Awards are bestowed annually and are designed to encourage total improvement in each sector of our business.

SPORTS:

1.One gold, four silver medals for India at Finland boxing tourney :  India’s Kavinder Singh Bisht (56kg-category) has won the gold medal at the 38th GeeBee Boxing Tournament in Helsinki, Finland. While three-time Asian medallist Shiva Thapa (60kg category) and three others claimed silver medals. Sumit Sangwan, former youth world champion Sachin Siwach and Naveen Kumar got bronze in their categories.

2.  Iniyan becomes India’s 61st Grandmaster : P. Iniyan (16-year) has become the 61st Grandmaster of India (the highest title a chess player)after crossing 2,500 points during the Noisiel Open 2019, held in Paris. Iniyan also won the silver medal in this tournament by increasing 18 points and has a rating of 2,513.

Daily GK Updates - 9th March, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.Abhinandan Varthaman to get Bhagwan Mahavir Ahimsa Puraskar : Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman(piloting a Mig-21 Bison) will be the first recipient of the 'Bhagwan Mahavir Ahimsa Puraskar'. The award is instituted by the Akhil Bharatiya Digambar Jain Mahasamiti. on 27th February, Mr. Varthaman shot down a Pakistan Air Force F-16 with an R-73 air-to-air missile in a dogfight The award will be presented to Varthaman on 17th April 2019, carries a cash prize of Rs 2.51 lakh, a memento and a citation.

2.  Mizoram Governor Kummanam Rajasekharan resigns : Governor of Mizoram Kummanam Rajasekharan has resigned from his post. President Ram Nath Kovind has accepted the resignation of Rajasekharan. Mr. Rajasekharan began his political career as an activist of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and Sangh Parivar in the state of Kerala in 1970.

3.  India’s first oil museum to come up in Guwahati :  India’s first oil museum will come up in Guwahati, Assam. It will be named KB Malaviya National Oil Museum. KB Malaviya is called the father of India’s hydrocarbon industry. Assam was the first state where oil was discovered and produced for the first time in the country. All major oil and gas companies ONGC, OIL, HPCL, BPCL, EIL will jointly work for the museum.

4. MP: Ancient tribal language Gondi to be taught in tribal districts :  Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath has decided to include the ancient tribal language ‘Gondi‘, in tribal districts of the state. The State Government has decided to include Gondi in the primary education curriculum of the state's tribal-dominated districts.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Japanese architect Arata Isozaki wins the Pritzker Prize 2019 :  Japanese architect ‘Arata Isozaki’ has won the Pritzker Prize 2019. He is the 46th Pritzker laureate and the 8th Japanese architect to receive the honour. The Pritzker Prize (USD 100,000) is regarded as architecture's equivalent to the Nobel Prize. The Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles and the Palau Saint Jordi indoor sporting arena in Barcelona are among more than 100 of his major projects.

2.  India, Japan hold inaugural space dialogue : The inaugural India-Japan Space Dialogue was held in New Delhi. The dialogue brought together Ministries and agencies related to outer space in the two countries and provided an opportunity for information exchange on the respective space policies. Discussions were also held on bilateral cooperation between JAXA-ISRO, their space industries, global navigation satellite system, space situational awareness, space security and space-related norms.

3. Ausaf Sayeed appointed new Ambassador of India to Saudi Arabia :  Dr. Ausaf Sayeed (Indian Foreign Service officer -1989 batch) has been appointed as the ambassador of India to Saudi Arabia. He will succeed Ahmad Javed, who had been serving as envoy to Saudi Arabia (since December 2015). Currently, Dr. Ausaf Sayeed is the High Commissioner of India to the Republic of Seychelles.

4. UNDP appoints Padma Lakshmi as Goodwill Ambassador :  The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has appointed Indian-American television personality and food expert ‘Padma Lakshmi’ as Goodwill Ambassador. The newest Goodwill Ambassador, supporting the agency’s fight against inequality and discrimination around the world. Ms. Lakshmi has been a judge and host, as well as executive producer, of Bravo Television’s Emmy award-winning series Top Chef.

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE:

1. Bilateral joint exercise between India, Oman to begin from 12th March :  The third edition of the bilateral joint exercise between India and Oman ‘Al Nagah 2019’ will begin from 12th March at Jabel Al Akhdar Mountains in Oman (end on 25th of March). It will continue till 25th of March. In the exercise, both the armies will exchange expertise and experience in tactics, weapon handling and firing. The objective of this exercise is to enhance interoperability in counter-terrorist operations in semi-urban mountainous terrain.

Daily GK Updates - 8th March, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.Govt. to celebrate ‘Poshan Pakhwada’ from 8th to 22nd March 2019 across the Country : Poshan Pakhwada’ has been launched across the Country on International Women’s Day (8th March). The Minister for Women & Child Development has been celebrating the first anniversary of POSHAN Abhiyaan (from 8th-22nd March 2019).The Poshan Pakhwada will be celebrated on lines of ‘Poshan Maah’ held in the month of September 2018. During the Poshan Pakhwada, it is also planned to organise a workshop on Agri-Nutrition on 15th March 2019. The Ministry of Women & Child Development is the nodal ministry for coordinating activities during the month.

2. Ajit Kumar Mohanty appointed Bhabha Atomic Research Centre chief : Scientist Ajit Kumar Mohanty has been appointed Director of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), the country's premier multi-disciplinary nuclear research facility for a period of three years. He is at present Director, Physics Group in BARC and Director, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics. The BARC is India's premier nuclear research facility based in Mumbai.

3. Hardeep S Puri launches e-Dharti App : Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Puri has launched ‘e-Dharti app’ and e-Dharti GeoPortal In ‘e-Dharti app’, all the three modules- Conversion, Substitution and Mutation related to properties have been made online. e-Dharti GeoPortal, through which the lessee of the property will be able to see the basic details of property along with map showing its location.The payment system in Land and Development Office, L&DO has also been completely digitized. This application will not only benefit public but the Government also in getting to know the actual status of its vacant properties, whether there is any encroachment on the property.

4. I&B Secretary Amit Khare releases Reference Annuals :  Information and Broadcasting Secretary Amit Khare has released Reference Annuals - India 2019 and Bharat 2019 at a function in New Delhi. The reference annuals are the flagship publication in English and Hindi brought out by Publications Division. These publications have been the source of information not only for youth but also for those who desire to know more details about Indian Economy, Agriculture, Science and Technology and developments in other fields.

5.  Cabinet approves investment for Kiru Hydro Electric Project in J&K :  The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved the investment sanction for construction of 624 Mega-watt Kiru Hydro Electric Project in Jammu and Kashmir.The CCEA also approved the investment for Khurja Super Thermal Power Plant (1320 Mega Watt) at Bulandshahar in Uttar Pradesh and Buxar thermal Power Project (1320 Mega Watt) in Bihar. The project will provide much-needed power to the northern grid. The CCEA has approved the construction of a 3rd railway line (155 kilometres length) between Narayangarh in West Bengal and Bhadrak in Odisha.

6. President Kovind presents Nari Shakti Puraskar 2019 : President Ram Nath Kovind presented the Nari Shakti Puraskar 2018 in New Delhi. Nari Shakti Puraskar is the highest civilian honour for women in India. This year, 44 awardees have been selected for these Puraskar. Ministry confers Nari Shakti Puraskar to women and institutions in recognition of their relentless service towards the cause of women empowerment and social welfare.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 1. International Women's Day being observed :  International Women's Day (IWD) is being celebrated every year on 8th March to highlight the achievements of women while calling for greater equality. It is a day when women are recognized for their achievementswithout regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political. The UN Women’s theme for 2019 is “Think Equal, Build Smart, Innovate for Change”. International Women's Day first emerged from the activities of labour movements at the turn of the twentieth century in North America and across Europe.

OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. Union Government announces new Rs 20 coin :  The union Government has announced a new Rs 20 coin, come in 12-edged polygon (dodecagon) shape.According to the Finance Ministry, the new Rs 20 coin will be made in copper (65%), zinc (15%) and nickel (20%) for the outer ring.While the inner ring (centre piece) will be 75% copper, 20% zinc and 5% nickel. It will be 27mm (milli meters) and weigh 8.54 grams. The Lion Capitol symbol of Ashoka Pillar with the legend “Satyamev Jayate” below it will be inscribed on its front side. The words “Bharat” in Hindi and “INDIA” in English will be there on the right and left-hand side of the symbol respectively.

2.  NGT slaps Rs 500 crore penalty on Volkswagen : The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has slapped a fine of Rs 500 crore on German global auto giant ‘Volkswagen’ for damaging the environment using “cheat device” in its diesel cars in India. A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goeldirected the German global auto giant to deposit the amount within two months. The tribunal enhanced the compensation amount of Rs. 171.34 crore, which was recommended by an NGT- appointed committee, as a means of “creating deterrence”.

BANKING/FINANCE:

1. World Bank to provide 250 Million USD for NRETP to boost Rural incomes in India : World Bank to provide 250 Million USD for the National Rural Economic Transformation Project (NRETP) to boost Rural incomes across 13 States in India.The loan will help women in rural households develop viable enterprises for farm and non-farm products.