Daily GK Updates - 21st February, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Government clears National Policy on Electronics to make India global hub in this sector : The Union Govt. has cleared the National Policy on Electronics 2019(NPE 2019), proposed by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).The NPE- 2019 aims to position India as a global hub for Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) by encouraging and driving capabilities in the country for developing core components. It envisions positioning India as a global hub for Electronics System Design and Manufacturing. The National Policy of Electronics 2019 (NPE 2019) replaces the National Policy of Electronics 2012 (NPE 2012).

2. Operation Digital Board launched to provide better digital education : The Union Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar has launched ‘Operation Digital Board’ on the lines of Operation Blackboard to provide better digital education in schools.Under the initiative, seven lakh classrooms of 9th, 10th and 11th standards and two lakh classrooms of colleges and Universities will be equipped with digital boards in the next three years. It will improve the quality of education and offer new opportunities and new ways of teaching and learning. It will revolutionize the education system in the country with different kinds of digital teaching materials, quality lectures and other facilities.

3. Senior IPS officer Anuj Sharma appointed Kolkata Police Commissioner : The West Bengal government has appointed Additional Director General (ADG) of West Bengal Police (law and order) Anuj Sharma (IPS officer-1991-batch) as the new Kolkata Police Commissioner, replacing Rajeev Kumar. Earlier, Rajeev Kumar was transferred as ADG & IGP of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

4. ‘Simplicity & Wisdom’ authored by Mr. Dinesh Shahra launched : West Bengal Governor ‘Keshari Nath Tripathi’ and Swami Chidanand Saraswati (Head of Parmarth Ashram) have jointely launched book ‘Simplicity & Wisdom’ at Parmarth Ashram in Kumbh Mela, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. The book authored by famous Industrialist and Philanthropist Mr. Dinesh Shahra(Chairman of Ruchi Group). The book aims at guiding towards saintly wisdom and leading a content and happy life.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. The 4th India-ASEAN Expo and Summit 2019 begins in New Delhi : Union Minister Suresh Prabhu & ASEAN Secretary-General have jointly inaugurated the 4th India-ASEAN Expo and Summit, 2019 at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi Trade Ministers of ASEAN Countries, Secretary-General of ASEAN, business delegations, 200 plus exhibitors from India and ASEAN are participating in the Expo and Summit. ASEAN being the second largest trading partner of India (after China) with a total bilateral merchandise trade of USD 81.33 billion.

2. PM Modi arrives in Seoul on a two-day visit : Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Seoul on a two-day visit to South Korea. He will receive the ‘Seoul Peace Prize’ in recognition of his dedication to international cooperation, global growth and human development. Mr Modi will also hold bilateral talks with Moon Jae-in (South Korean President). Prime minister addressed the India-Korea Business Symposium and launched India-Korea Startup Hub. As a part of Mahatma Gandhi 150th birth anniversary, Prime Minister will unveil a bust of Mahatma at the Seoul Campus of Yonsei University.

3. Saudi Arabia to invest 100 billion dollars in India : Saudi Arabia will invest 100 billion dollars in India in range of areas including energy, refining, petrochemicals, infrastructure, agriculture and manufacturing.On the visit of Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, the two sides also expressed satisfaction at the positive trend in the bilateral ties and stressed on the need to tap the untapped potential in trade particularly in Non-Oil trade. A joint working group on counter-terrorism will also be set up. 

4. International Mother Language Day being celebrated  : International Mother Language Day is being observed every year on the 21st of February (since February 2000) to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism.The theme of this year’s Mother Language Day is ‘Indigenous Languages as a factor in development, peace and reconciliation’.

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OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING/FINANCE:

1. LIC launches ‘Micro Bachat’ plan : Indian state-owned insurance group and investment company Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) has launched a new microinsurance plan ‘Micro Bachat’.It is a regular premium, non-linked participating endowment microinsurance plan, offers a combination of protection and saving. For the first time, a microinsurance plan has been launched providing coverage up to Rs 2 lakh.This plan is available for standard healthy lives only in the age group of 18-55 years without undergoing any medical examination.

SPORTS :

1. Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore inaugurates ISSF Shooting World Cup : The Union Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore has inaugurated the International Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF) World Cup in New Delhi. The ISSF World Cup is crucial for Indian shooting as it has 16 quotas up for grabs for Tokyo 2020 Olympic qualification.India is fielding a 23-member squad with 11 shooters in the non-competition Minimum Qualification Score category.

OBITUARIES:

1. Climate scientist Wallace Smith Broecker passes away in New York : Climate scientist Wallace Smith Broecker (87-years) passed away in New York City hospital. Columbia University professor Broecker brought "global warming" into common use with a 1975 paper that correctly predicted rising carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere would lead to pronounced warming. He was known in science circles as the "Grandfather of Climate Science". Broecker was also first to recognize what he called the Ocean Conveyor Belt, a global system of ocean currents circulating water and nutrients.

Daily GK Updates - 20th February, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Suresh Prabhu launches ‘SWAYATT’ on GeM : The Union Minister Suresh Prabhu has launched SWAYATT initiativeand Start-up Runway in New Delhi. SWAYATT is an initiative to promote Start-ups, Women and Youth Advantage using e-Transactions on Government e Marketplace (GeM). This will bring together the key stakeholders within the Indian entrepreneurial ecosystem to Government e-Marketplace the national procurement portal. GeM Start-up Runway will address goals and objectives under United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.

2. Telangana gets two new districts : The Telangana state government has announced to create two more districts (Narayanpet and Mulugu) in the state.Now the number of districts in the State is 33. Narayanpet has been carved out of Mahbubnagar district and Mulugu from Jayashankar Bhupalpally. When Telangana was carved out of erstwhile Andhra Pradesh (on June 2, 2014), it had just 10 districts.

3. Himachal Assembly passes Bill to make Sanskrit the 2nd official language : Himachal Pradesh states assembly passed Official Language (Amendment) Bill 2019 to make Sanskrit as the second official language of the state (first - Hindi). The state assembly also passed the Himachal Pradesh University of Health Sciences (Amendment) Bill, 2019 to rename as ‘Atal Medical and Research University, Himachal Pradesh’.

4. President of India inaugurated International Conference ENCO-2019 in New Delhi :  President Ram Nath Kovind has inaugurated the International conference and Exhibition on Energy and Environment Challenges and Opportunities (ENCO-2019) in New Delhi (20th to 22nd Feb 2019). Around 1000 delegates from India and abroad are participating in the conference. The conference aims to deliberate and identify the R&D needs to innovate new techniques, technologies and applications for clean, safe, symbiotic sustenance of society, environment, energy and industries in the post-2020 era.

5. 7th National Photography awards announced : Union Minister Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore presented the 7th National Photography Awards in New Delhi. The theme for the Professional category was “Women-led Development”, while the theme for Amateur category was “Fairs and Festivals of India”.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1.Asia's premier Air show 'Aero-India' begins in Bengaluru : Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has inaugurated the five-daylong biennial 'Aero-India-2019' (12th edition) at Yelahanka air force station in Bengaluru. 61 aircraft, including HAL's indigenous products LCA Tejas are all set to roar in the city skies. The tagline for Aero India 2019 is “The Runway to a Billion Opportunities”. Aero India 2019 will provide a significant platform in bolstering business opportunities in the International aviation sector.

2.  Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia arrived in New Delhi : Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammad Bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud arrived in New Delhi on a two-day official visit to India. The Crown Prince is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Ministers, senior officials and leading Saudi businessmen. India and Saudi Arabia have historically enjoyed close and friendly relation anchored in mutually beneficial partnership and extensive people to people contacts. The bilateral trade was 27.48 billion dollars during the last financial year 2017-18, making Saudi Arabia India’s 4th largest trading partner.

3. International annual desert festival held in Jaisalmer  : The three-day International Annual Desert Festival (40th) held in Jaisalmer with thousands of tourists participating in the colourful event. The festival exhibits the rich cultural heritage of the desert state, commenced with a colourful procession from Gadsisar lake fort. It had interesting events like Mr Desert and Ms Moomal competitions, mustache competitions, turban tying, musical and cultural performances, among others.

4. World Day of Social Justice being observed : The United Nations' (UN) World Day of Social Justice is annually observed on 20th February to encourage people to look at how social justice affects poverty eradication. It also focuses on the goal of achieving full employment and support for social integration. The theme for 2019 is " If You Want Peace & Development, Work for Social Justice”.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS :

1. Nikhat, Meena win gold medals at Strandja Memorial Boxing : Nikhat Zareen and Meena Kumari Devi have become the first Indian women boxers to win gold medals at the Strandja Memorial Tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria.Zareen claimed a 5-0 win in the 51kg category finals against Filipino Irish Magno. Devi defeated another Filipino Aira Villegas 3-2 in the bantamweight (54kg) summit clash.Manju Rani (48kg) settled for a silver after a defeat from Filipine's Josie Gabuco in a split 2-3 verdict.  

OBITUARIES:

1. Noted Hindi writer Namvar Singh passes away : Noted Hindi Writer Prof. Namvar Singh (92-years) passed away at All India Institute of Medical Science in New Delhi.Mr. Singh was the first Chairman of JNU’s Centre of Indian Languages. He has authored over dozen books including 'Kavita Ke Naye Pratiman', 'Chhayavad' and 'Dusri Parampara Ki Khoj' among others. He received Sahitya Academy Award for literary criticism in 1971 for 'Kavita Ke Naye Pratiman'.

Daily GK Updates - 19th February, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Hina Jaiswal becomes India's first woman flight engineer : Flight Lieutenant Hina Jaiswal has become the first Indian women flight Engineer of the Indian Air Force (IAF). She completed the 6 months flight engineer course from the 112 Helicopter Unit attached to the Air Force station in Yelahanka in Bengaluru.The Flight Engineer branch was opened to women officers in 2018(earlier restricted to men). Now, Hina will be posted to a helicopter squadron where she will monitor and operate IAF’s complex aircraft in various conditions.

2. President Kovind presents Tagore Award for Cultural Harmony : The President of India Ram Nath Kovind presented the Tagore Award for the years 2014, 2015 & 2016 for Cultural Harmony at Pravasi Bhartiya Kendra, New Delhi.This annual award is given to individuals, associations, institutions or organizations for their outstanding contribution towards promoting values of Cultural Harmony.The exponent of Manipuri dance Rajkumar Singhajit Singh was given the award for the year 2014.Chhayanaut (cultural organization of Bangladesh) was given the award for 2015 for its role in the promotion of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore's works and Bangla arts.

3.  Shivaji Jayanti being celebrated in Maharashtra : The birth anniversary of Maratha Warrior King ‘Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’ is being celebrated in all over Maharashtra.Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu paid tributes to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on his birth anniversary.Shivaji Bhonsle was an Indian warrior king and a member of the Bhonsle Maratha clan,

4. Guru Ravidas Jayanti being celebrated across the country : The birth anniversary of Sant Ravidas (the founder of Bhakti movement) is being celebrated across the country. As per the Hindu calendar, it is celebrated on full moon day of the Magh month (Magh Purnima). On the day, people who follow the Ravidas religion, take out a Nagar Kirtan procession with the saint’s portrait while chanting special prayers.Today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Sant Ravidas Templeat Sier Govardhan where he took part in foundation stone laying of Ravidas Birth place development projects.

5. Rajnath Singh launches Single emergency helpline '112' for 16 states, UTs :

The Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has launched single emergency helpline number '112' in 16 States and UT (Union Territories).The 16 states and UTs are Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Puducherry, Lakshadweep, Andaman, Dadar Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Jammu and Kashmir.People can also log onto the ERSS' website for the state and lodge emergency Email or send SOS alert to state ERC

6. PM flags off 1st ever diesel to electric converted locomotive twin engine at Varanasi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the world’s first electric engine converted from diesel locomotive at the Diesel Locomotive Works (DLW) in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Under Make in India initiative, The 10,000 HP freight locomotive has been converted from two units of old diesel locomotives of 2,600HP each with indigenous technology The converted locos will result in less greenhouse gas emissions and better efficient locomotives for the Indian Railways.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1.  Abdul Aziz Muhamat wins International Human Rights Prize : As per the UN refugee agency UNHCR, Abdul Aziz Muhamat (Sudanese refugee) has won the Martin Ennals Award 2019 in Geneva (Switzerland) for exposing “the very cruel asylum seeker policy of the Australian Government”.Mr. Muhamat spent five years in the Australian detention centre on Manus Island in Papua New Guinea. It is sometimes referred to as the ‘Nobel Prize for human rights’.

2. Best-selling British Author ‘Andrea Levy’ passed away : Bestselling British Author Andrea Levy (62-years) passed away due to cancer. She was known for penning books ‘The Long Song’ and ‘Small Island’(story of Jamaican migrants in Britain). ‘Small Island’ won the Whitbread prize, the Orange Prize for Fiction and the Commonwealth Writers’ prize. Levy's last novel, "The Long Song," was published in 2010 and was shortlisted for the Man Booker prize.

3. Iran launches new locally-made submarine capable of firing cruise missiles : Iran President Hassan Rouhani has launched a new locally-made submarine ‘capable of firing cruise missiles. The submarine, named the Fateh, Persian for 'conqueror', is Iran's first in the semi-heavy category.

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING/FINANCE:

1. RBI to give Rs 28,000 cr to Centre as interim dividend : The Reserve Bank of India (RBi) will transfer an interim surplus of 28,000 crore rupees to the central government for the half-year (ended 31st December 2018). The decision has been based on a limited audit review and after applying the extent economic capital framework. This is the second straight year that the RBI has announced an advance payment to the government.It will help the union government partly bridge a budget gap and could be key to funding an income support programme for farmers.

Daily GK Updates - 18th February, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.Annadata Sukhibhava scheme 2019-20 : Annadata Sukhibhava scheme 2019-20 is announced by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu.  Rs 9000 each to farmers with less than 5-acre land

2. District cooling system in India : Amravati (capital city of the Andhra Pradesh) will have India’s first District cooling system. District Cooling System. District cooling system (DCS) distributes thermal energy in the form of chilled water from a central source to multiple buildings through a network of underground pipes for use in space cooling.

3. CMD of Pawan Hans :  Govt. has appointed BP Sharma as the new Chairman and Managing Director of Pawan Hans. Pawan Hans Limited is a helicopter service company based in New Delhi, India. Pawan Hans is a Mini Ratna-I category PSU. It has cumulatively flown more than 1 million hours and has had 2.5 million landings on its fleet since its formation. The operations are based at the Juhu Aerodrome in Vile Parle, Mumbai.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1.‘Mother’ and ‘Father’ as ‘Parent 1’ and ‘Parent 2’ : France Govt. are set to replace the words ‘Mother’ and ‘Father’ with ‘Parent 1’ and ‘Parent 2’. It is aimed at ending discrimination against same-sex parents.

2. Exercise Cobra Gold : Exercise Cobra Gold is one of world’s largest multinational military exercises, has started in Thailand. The 38th annual Cobra Gold exercise is co-sponsored by the Royal Thai and U.S armed forces.

3. Security Protection Agreement between India and Sweden : The Agreement is about sharing classified information between India and Sweden. It was signed during Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s visit to the Nordic country.

4. International Human Rights Prize : Abdul Aziz Muhamat, a Sudanese refugee has won the prestigious Martin Ennals Human Rights Prize.The Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders, sometimes called “the Nobel Prize for human rights”, was created in 1993 to honour and protect individuals around the world who demonstrate exceptional courage in defending and promoting human rights.

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING/FINANCE:

1. First US Bank with Cryptocurrency : New York-based investment bank JP Morgan Chase is launching the first-ever major cryptocurrency backed by a U.S. bank.The digital token, dubbed “JPM Coin,” will be used to “instantly settle payments between clients J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. is an American multinational investment bank and financial services company headquartered in New York City. JPMorgan Chase is the largest bank in the United States, and is ranked by S&P Global as the sixth largest bank in the world by total assets as of 2018, to the amount of $2.534 trillion.

SPORTS :

1. Chris Gayle announces retirement from One-day Internationals : West Indian left-hander batsman Chris Gayle (39-year) has announced that he will retire from One-day Internationals after the forthcoming World Cup. Gayle has scored 9,727 ODI runs, second only to the legendary Brian Lara among West Indians in 284 matches. Gayle has scored a Windies record of 23 ODI hundreds, including the first-ever World Cup double century against Zimbabwe. The World Cup will be held in England and Wales from 30th May till 14th July 2019.

2. Vidarbha beat Rest of India to retain Irani Cup : Vidarbha (Ranji Trophy champions) successfully defended their title and defeated Rest of India on the first-innings basis to win the tournament in Nagpur. Vidarbha has become the third team after Mumbai and Karnataka to clinch two Irani Cup titles in a row.According to Vidarbha captain Faiz Fazal, the entire prize money will be donated to the families of the CRPF personnel martyred in Pulwama terror attack.

Daily GK Updates - 17th February, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Pramod Chandra Mody appointed as New CBDT Chairman : Shri Pramod Chandra Mody (Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax cadre)- 1982-batch) has been appointed as the new chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes. Mr Mody succeeds Sushil Chandra, who was named as Election Commissioner of India. Mody has been working as the Member (Administration) in the CBDT. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) is the policy-making body of the Income Tax Department.

2.PM Modi hold talks with Argentinian President Mauricio Macri : Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds talks with ArgentinianPresident Mauricio Macri in New Delhi. Earlier, Mr Macri arrived in India on a three-day visit. Mr Macri's visit comes at a time when India and Argentina are celebrating the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. World Sustainable Development Summit 2019 held in New Delhi

3.Vice President Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu has inaugurated the World Sustainable : Development Summit (WSDS) 2019 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS) is The Energy and Resources Institute's (TERI) annual flagship event. The theme of the 2019 edition of the Summit is 'Attaining the 2030 Agenda: Delivering on Our Promise'.

4.  Pranab Mukherjee releases a book of Venkaiah Naidu's speeches : Former President Pranab Mukherjee has released the book containing selected speeches (92 speeches) of Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu at a function in New Delhi. The book titled “Selected Speeches: Volume-1”. The book is categorised into six broad sections - ‘Functioning of Legislatures’, ‘Nation and Nationalism’, ‘Polity and Governance’, ‘Economic Development’, ‘Media’ and ‘India and the World’.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Grand Cross of the Order of Civil Merit : The Spanish Govt. will confer upon Sushma Swaraj the Grand Cross of the Order of Civil Merit. The Order of Civil Merit was established by King Alfonso XIII of Spain in 1926. The order recognizes “the civic virtue of officers in the service of the Nation, as well as extraordinary service by Spanish and foreign citizens for the benefit of Spain.”

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING/FINANCE:

1.FPIs pour Rs 5,300 cr into equities in Feb so far : According to the latest data available with depositories, Foreign investors have put in over 5300 Crore rupees into the Indian equity market in the first half of this month. The infusion into the equity market comes following a pull-out of 5,264 crore rupees by foreign portfolio investors (FPI) in January. However, FPIs pulled out a net amount of 248 rupees crore from the bond market during the period. This has translated into a net investment of 5,074 crore rupees in the country's capital markets (equity and debt together).

2.  RBI imposes Rs 3.5 cr penalty on 3 PSU banks : The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed Rs 3.5 crore penaltieson three public sector banks for violation of various banking norms. Rs 1.5 crore penalty has been imposed on Oriental Bank of Commerce (OBC) and Rs 1 crore each on Punjab National Bank(PNB) and Bank of India. The monetary penalty on the banks has been imposed for non-compliance with various directions issued by the RBI on monitoring of end-use of funds, exchange of information with other banks, and on a restructuring of accounts.

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. India raises customs duty to 200% on all goods imported from Pakistan : According to the Finance minister Arun Jaitley, India has raised the basic customs duty to 200% on all goods imported from Pakistan with immediate effect. Earlier, India withdraws the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack. The main items which Pakistan exports to India include fresh fruits, cement, petroleum products, bulk minerals and ores and finished leather.

SPORTS :

1.Sunil Chhetri has given first ever Football Ratna Award : Indian professional footballer Sunil Chhetri has been conferred the first ever Football Ratna honour at Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi.He is popularly known as ‘Captain Fantastic’.He has scored the 2nd highest number of goals in international matches among active players after Cristiano Ronaldo. Chhetri has also been named AIFF Player of the Year five times in 2007, 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2017.

2. Saina Nehwal wins women’s 83rd Singles Senior Badminton Title : Saina Nehwal won her fourth title at the Yonex-Sunrise 83rd Senior Nationals. She defended PV Sindhu in the finals in Guwahati by 21-18, 21-15. Sourabh Verma claiming the men’s singles crown after defeating young Lakshya Sen in straight games of 21-18, 21-13. Pair of Pranaav Jerry Chopra and Chirag Shetty defeated Arjun M.R and Shlok Ramachandran in straight games to clinch the Men’s Doubles title.

Daily GK Updates - 16th February, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Ashwani Lohani appointed as Air India CMD : Former Railway Board Chairman Ashwani Lohani (1980-batch IRSME) has been appointed as the Chairman and managing director (CMD) of Air India.Lohani will take over from Pradeep Singh Kharola.Earlier, Pradeep Singh Kharola (IAS officer -1985 batch- Karnataka cadre) has been appointed as the Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation.In December 2018, Mr Lohani retired as the Railway Board chairman.

2. BP Sharma re-employed as Pawan Hans CMD : The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved re-employment of B P Sharma as the chairman and managing director (CMD) of Pawan Hans Limited for a period of five monthsSharma took over as the CMD of Pawan Hans in March 2015.Pawan Hans has a fleet of more than 50 helicopters.

3. President Kovind directs that Finance and Corporate Affairs portfolios be assigned to Jaitley : President Ram Nath Kovind has directed that the Finance and Corporate Affairs portfolios be assigned to Union Minister Arun Jaitley.Mr Jaitley, who left for New York last month, returned home last week after undergoing medical treatment.On 23rd of January, the charge of the Finance Ministry and Corporate Affairs was given to Union Minister Piyush Goyal on a temporary basis.

4. PM Narendra Modi flags-off Vande Bharat Express : PM Narendra Modi flags off India's first semi-high-speed train ‘Vande Bharat Express’ (codenamed Train 18) without any flower decorations. A two-minute silence observed before the launch in memory of at least 37 CRPF soldiers who lost their lives in one of the deadliest attacks in J&K. The Vande Bharat Express will run between Delhi and Varanasi at a maximum speed of 130 km/hr and is expected to cover a distance of 750 kilometres in eight hours.

5. Challachitram National film festival to begin from 1st March :  Challachitram National Film Festival will be held at Guwahati in March 2019, with a special award for entries from the north-eastern region.  The theme of this three-day film festival is 'Our Heritage, Our Pride'.  Chalachitram is a Guwahati-based organisation working for showcasing the heritage and culture of the northeast to a national and international audience through films.

6.New book ‘What Marx Left Unsaid’ released by Manish Tewari : Indian Politician Manish Tewari has released ‘What Marx Left Unsaid’ ‘Production of Skills by Means of Skills’ at Indian International Centre, New Delhi. The book has been authored jointly authors by 3 generations of the same family Dr. Malay Chaudhari, Dr. Arindam Chaudhari and Che Kabir Chaudhari. The book speaks about why human beings must earn as per their skills, which will in turn determine their ability to contribute to society.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. India withdraws most favoured nation status to Pakistan : India has announced withdrawal of Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status for Pakistan, following the Pulwama terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir.The decision was taken during the Cabinet Committee on Security meeting (CCS) in New Delhi.India had granted the status to Pakistan in 1996, a year after WTO’s formation.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. Sportstar Aces Lifetime Achievement Award for Prakash Padukone : Badminton legend Prakash Padukone has been honoured for the Lifetime Achievement at the Taj Mahal Palace Mumbai. In the Sportsman of the Year (Cricket) category, India skipper Virat Kohli and pacer Jasprit Bumrah were declared as joint winners. Indian women's cricket team opener Smriti Mandhana bagged the Sportswoman of the Year (Cricket) award.

OBITUARIES:

1. England’s Legendary Goalkeeper Gardon Banks passed away : Famous goalkeeper Gordon Banks (81-years) passed away in England.He was widely considered as one of the greatest Goalkeeper of his generation.Gordon Banks was named as FIFA (The Federation Internationale de Football) Goalkeeper of the year six times and earned 73 caps for England between 1963 to 1972. Banks was suffering from kidney cancer for the second time since 2016.

Daily GK Updates - 15th February, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Sushil Chandra appointed new Election Commissioner : President Ram Nath Kovind has appointed the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) Chairman Sushil Chandra (Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer-1980 batch) as an Election Commissioner.Chandra's tenure as chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) was to expire in May 2019.He will fill the vacancy caused by the retirement of O.P. Rawat.Mr. Chandra  completed his B. Tech from IIT Roorkee and LLB from Dehradun.

2. Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan pension scheme comes into effect from today : The Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan scheme (announced in the interim Budget) has been implemented. Under the scheme, workers of the unorganised sector will receive a minimum assured pension of three thousand rupees per month after attaining the age of 60 years. The workers whose monthly income is 15 thousand rupees per month or less and belong to the entry age group of 18 to 40 years are eligible for the scheme. During the receipt of the pension (if the subscriber dies) the spouse of the beneficiary will be entitled to receive 50%of the pension.

3. Indian army Carried Out the annual exercise named ‘Exercise Topchi’ : Indian Army showcased its artillery firepower by using ultralight Howitzers and indigenous Swathi weapon-locating radar at the annual ‘Exercise Topchi’ at Deolali Camp near Nashik, Maharashtra.There were a showcase of display of rockets, missiles, surveillance, and target acquisition radars, remotely piloted aircraft and hi-tech equipment in addition to gunfire.The precision displayed while delivering the explosives in the target area stunned all those present.

4. India’s first Aqua Mega Food Park Commissioned in Andhra Pradesh : Union Minister of Food Processing Industries Harsimrat Kaur Badal commissioned the Godavari Mega Aqua Food Park in West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh (through video conferencing).The mega park has been set up in 57.81 acres at a cost of Rs 122.60 croreIt will be the first Mega Aqua Food Park operationalised exclusively for fish and marine products processing in the state of Andhra Pradesh.

5. 44 CRPF personnel martyred in a suicide attack in Kashmir : India lost 44 of its bravest Jawans of CRPF (country's largest paramilitary force)  in an absolutely abhorrent, cowardly attack in Awantipora, Pulwama in Kashmir.This after a Jaish dastard rammed a vehicle carrying explosives weighing 350 kgs into a CRPF truck.

6. P Chidambaram’s Book “Undaunted: Saving the Idea of India” launched : Former Vice President Hamid Ansari has launched the new book of P Chidambaram (former Finance Minister) named “Undaunted: Saving the Idea of India” at Nehru Memorial Museum in New Delhi. The book is a collection of essays on the country’s atmosphere of fear and how the constitutional values are being threatened.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Bradley Cooper wins the Best Director from PETA for ‘A Star Is Born’ :  Bradley Cooper (43-years) has been awarded the ‘Oscat’ by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).The animal rights organisation awarded Cooper “for his enlightened decision to cast his own canine companion in ‘A Star Is Born’ rather than using one supplied by a notorious animal exhibitor”.

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING/FINANCE:

1. NTPC signs a pact with SBI for Rs 5K crore term loan : State-owned power NTPC has signed a term loan agreement for Rs 5,000 crore with State Bank of India.This loan has a tenure of 15 years and will be utilised to part finance the capital expenditure of NTPC.

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. CCEA approves CLCS-TUS with a total outlay of Rs. 2900 crore : The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved the Credit Linked Capital Subsidy and Technology Up-gradation Scheme (CLCS-TUS) with a total outlay of 2900 crore rupees.The objective of the scheme is to improve the competitiveness of MSMEs by integrating various ongoing schematic interventions aimed at up-grading technology through the Credit Linked Capital Subsidy (CLCS).The scheme will facilitate technology up-gradation improvement in Quality of products by MSMEs, enhancement in productivity, reduction in waste.

2. Centre increases MSP of Sugar by 2 Rs/Kg : The Union Government has increased the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of sugar from 29 rupees to 31 rupees per kilogram for the year 2018-19, considering the rising arrears of sugarcane growers.With this step, the appropriate amount will be available to sugar mills, which will enable them to pay the sugarcane farmers on time.

SPORTS:

1. Prajnesh Gunneswaran breaks into men's singles top 100 : Prajnesh Gunneswaran has made it to the top-100 of Men's Singles Tennis rankings.He ranked 97th with a jump of six places.Prajnesh is the third Indian player to break into the top-100 barrier after Somdev Devvarman and Yuki Bhambri.He reached the semi-finals of the ATP Chennai Challenger last week to ensure his entry into the coveted bracket.