Daily GK Update

CHETHANA BANK INSTITUTE Friday, 10 February 2017
Edit

 

Daily GK Update : 11th February 2017

 National & International Appointment

1. Ajay Tyagi appointed as chairman of SEBI

  • Senior IAS (1984 batch of HP cadre) officer Ajay Tyagi (58-year) will be the new Charmian of Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
  • He will succeed Upendra Kumar Sinha, whose extended tenure ends on 1st
  • Tyagi is currently Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Finance.
  • He will hold the office for a maximum period five years or till he attains the age of 65 years.
Note:
  • The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is the regulator for the securities market in India.
  • It was established in the year 1988 and given statutory powers on 30 January 1992 through the SEBI Act, 1992.

2. Hemant Bhargava appointed as LIC's MD


  • The Appointments Committee of Cabinet has approved the appointed of Hemant Bhargava as Managing Director (MD)of Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India.
  • Prior to this, he is LIC's zonal manager, Delhi.
  • He has been appointed till July 31, 2019
  • The insurance corporation can have four MDs, apart from the Chairman, as part of its top management.
Note:
  • Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) is an Indian state-owned insurance group and investment company headquartered in Mumbai.
  • The Life Insurance Corporation of India was founded in 1956 when the Parliament of India passed the Life Insurance of India Act that nationalised the private insurance industry in India.

National Affairs

3. Ananth Kumar inaugurates Orientation Programme for launching of 1000 PMBJKs


  • The union Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister Ananth Kumar has inaugurated orientation programme for launching of one thousand Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras in New Delhi.
  • The workshop was targeted to educate and channelize youth to synergize their efforts for taking ahead the mission to open three thousand kendras by March 2017.
  • Representatives from 24 States and 106 districts from across the country attended the programme.
  • These Janaushadhi Kendras will provide affordable quality medicine to all citizens.

4. Haryana: CM Manohar Lal lays foundation stones of 21 govt colleges


  • The chief minister of Haryana Manohar Lal has laid the foundation stones of 21 government colleges to be set up in 13 districts of the state from Chandigarh through video conferencing.
  • The government has made provision of 276 crore rupees for these colleges.
  • Haryana Government is to exploring the possibility to introduce two courses of skill development in each college so that students could learn skills before they pass out of the college.

 5. Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi inaugurates 2nd edition of 'Hunar Haat' in New Delhi


  • Today, the union Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi has inaugurated the second edition of 'Hunar Haat' in New Delhi
  • The ‘Haat’ will encourage, promote and provide national and international market to master artisans and craftsmen belonging to minority communities.
  • The theme is 'Crafts Aur Cuisine Ka Sangam' and remain open till 26th of this month
  • The Hunar Haat is unique in the sense that it is show cassing crafts and traditional cuisines brought from different parts of the country.
  • 100 artisans and 30 culinary experts from about 24 states and UTs are participating at about 130 stalls in it.

Honour & Awards

6. Sudarsan Pattnaik creates Guinness World Record by creating 48.8 feet tall sand castle


  • Sand artist ‘Sudarsan Pattnaik’ has created a ‘Guinness World Record’ by creating a 48.8 feet tall sand castle at Puri beach in Odisha in four days.
  • The previous record holder is an American who completed his art of 45.10 feet in seven days.
  • The sculpture was built with a message of world peace and featured sculptures of Mahatma Gandhi, Gautama Buddha and Nelson Mandela.
  • The castle will be exhibited on the Puri beach for two more days.

Science & Defence 

7. India successfully test-fired home-grown AAD interceptor missile

 
  • Today, India successfully test-fired its home-grown Advanced Air Defence (AAD) interceptor missile from launching complex-IV of Dhamara Abdul Kalam defence base off Odisha coast.
  • The interceptor is a 7.5-metre-long single stage solid rocket propelled guided missile equipped with a navigation system, a hi-tech computer and an electro-mechanical activator would intercept a target, mimicking an incoming enemy missile, mid-air.
  • The Advanced Air Defence interceptor will destroy the incoming missile in the endo-atmospheric region at a low altitude of less than 30 kilometres.

Sports

8. Official mascot of FIFA U-17 World Cup 'Kheleao' unveiled


  • The official mascot of the tournament 'Kheleao' was unveiled in a ceremony at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi.
  • A clouded leopard called Kheleao was introduced by Sports Minister Vijay Goel and All India Football Federation President Praful Patel.
  • The clouded leopard is an endangered wild cat whose habitat extends from the Himalayan foothills to mainland Southeast Asia.
  • Kheleao will participate in numerous activities in the run-up to the first-ever FIFA tournament to be hosted by India.
Note:
  • FIFA Under-17 World Cup India 2017will be played from October 06th to 28th 2017.

9. India storms into final of Blind T20 World Cup Cricket tournament


  • India entered the final of the Blind Twenty20 World Cup Cricket tournament, defeating Sri Lanka by 10 wickets in the first semi-final in Bengaluru.
  • In reply to Island nation's score of 174 in 19.2 overs, India went past the target in 13 overs without any loss of wickets.
  • Prakash scored unbeaten 115 for India.
  • Now, Defending champions India reached the final for the second time.

10. I&B Team win inter-ministry Hockey tournament 2016-17


  • The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Hockey Team has won the inter-ministry Hockey tournament 2016-17 at the Central Secretariat Ground Vinay Marg, New Delhi.
  • I&B Team Defeated Ministry of Health by three goals.
  • All the Ministry teams participated in the race for the cup.
  • Most entertaining player Chandan Singh was declared “Player of the match”. 
 Thought of the Day
"You can preach a better sermon with your life than with your lips.”
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

 

Daily GK Update : 10th February 2017

National Affairs

1. National Women’s Parliament begins in Amaravati

  • Today, India’s first a-political three days National Women’s Parliament (NWP) has begun in the new capital of Andhra Pradesh Amaravati.
  • The theme of the conference is 'Empowering Women - Strengthening Democracy'.
  • The conclave will be a common platform for women from diverse backgrounds like politics, arts and culture, sports, education, industry, media, cinema, judiciary and social sector to share their knowledge and research in the area of women's social, economic and political empowerment.

2. Govt. decides to open 56 Post Office Passport Seva Kendras


  • The union Government has decided to open 56 Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSK) at different locations in many states for delivering passport related services to the public.
  • The states include Delhi, Assam, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, Telangana and West Bengal.
  • Last month the External Affairs Ministry and the Department of Posts has announced their decision to utilize the Head Post Offices in the various States as POPSK.
  • The objective of this partnership is to extend passport services on a larger scale and to ensure wider area coverage.
  • Earlier, the project was started on a pilot basis at Mysore (Karnataka) and Dahod (Gujarat). 

3. President inaugurates 1st phase of solarization project in President’s Estate


  • The savings in electricity bills resulting from this project is expected to be more than 80 lakh rupees per year.
  • Under this project, 670 KW of solar power will be generated through rooftop solar panels installed on seven buildings at the President’s Estate.
  • Today, President Pranab Mukherjee has inaugurated the first phase of a solarisation project at the President’s Estate to make more energy efficient.

4. Govt. makes Aadhaar card mandatory for subsidized food grains from PDS


 

  • The Department of Food and Public Distribution has issued a notification, Aadhaar card mandatory for receiving subsidized food grains from all PDS shops. 
  • Now, individual beneficiaries having Ration Cards to furnishing Aadhaar number or undergo Aadhaar authentication to receive subsidies under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). 
  • Those who do not have Aadhaar number (or not enrolled for Aadhaar) can make application Aadhaar enrolment by 30th of June 2017. 
  • The entitlements will be given on production of Ration Card and either Aadhaar Enrollment ID slip or copy of his/her request made to State Govt for Aadhaar Enrollment along with any of the 8 documents including Voter ID Card, PAN, Passport, Driving License.

 5. Dr. Harsh Vardhan releases Braille Atlas for visually impaired persons in New Delhi


  • Today, The Union Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan has released Braille Atlas for visually impaired persons in New Delhi.
  • The Atlas will be distributed free of cost to various schools across the country for educating the students with visual challenges.
  • About 20 maps on different themes of physical, socio-economic and cultural aspects of the country have been incorporated in the Atlas.

 Important Dates

6. 640th Parkash Utsav of Sri Guru Ravidas is being celebrated today

 
  • Today, the birth anniversary of Sri Guru Ravidass (640th- Parkash Utsav) is being celebrated specially in Punjab and Haryana.
  • All the Gurudwaras and Guru Ravidas temples have been decorated tastefully, large number of devotees are visiting there.
Note:
  • Guru Ravidas (1377-1527 C.E.) was a famous saint of the Bhakti Movement. His devotional songs and verses made a lasting impact upon the Bhakti Movement. Guru Ravidas is also known as Raidas, Rohidas and Ruhidas.

International Affairs

7. Paris to erect wall of bulletproof glass around Eiffel Tower


  • The Mayor of Paris (France) has announced the erection of a 5meter wall of bulletproof glass around the Eiffel Tower due to security reason.
  • The new security measure is meant to protect France’s most recognizable symbol in the event of a terrorist threat.
  • Around 6-million people visit the Eiffel Tower every year and it is globally recognized as a symbol of France, and Paris.
Note:
  • The Eiffel Tower is a wrought iron lattice tower on the Champ de Mars in Paris, France.
  • It is named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the tower.
  • The tower is 324 metres (1,063 ft) tall and its base is square, measuring 125 meters (410 ft) on each side.

Banking & Finance

 8. RBI to set up separate Enforcement Department


  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has decided to set up separate Enforcement Department (ED) to effectively monitor banks in case they violate regulations and speed up regulatory compliance.
  • The department will be operational from 1st April, 2017
  • It will mainly deal with the penalties imposed on banks for violation of norms.
  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has also decided to set up an inter-disciplinary Standing Committee on cyber security to examine various threats and suggest measure to deal with it.
Note:
  • The three important facets (regulation, surveillance and enforcement) of financial sector oversight mechanism.
  • Regulations determine the framework in which financial entities function so that prudence, transparency, and comparability are ensured on the one hand and customer interests are protected on the other.
  • Surveillance is the process through which adherence to the regulations is monitored.
  • Enforcement deals with cases of non-compliance with regulations noticed either through the surveillance process or otherwise.

9. Govt appoints 3 non-official directors on RBI central board

 
  • The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has appointed three part-time non-official Directors Ashok Gulati, Manish Sabharwal and Rajiv Kumar on the Central Board for a four-year term.
  • The ACC has also approved the proposal of Department of Financial Services for the appointment of three Members, Prasanna Kumar Mohanty (Southern Local Board), Vallabh Roopchand Bhanshali (Western Local Board) and Sunil Mitra (Eastern Local Board) of the Local Board of RBI.

 Obituaries

 10. MRI pioneer Sir Peter Mansfield passes away


  • The Nobel laureate English physicist Sir Peter Mansfield (83-year) has passed away.
  • Mansfield was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine in 2003, along with late American chemist Paul Lauterbur, for discovering Magnetic Resonance Imaging(MRI).
  • MRI uses magnetic fields, radio waves, and field gradients to detect damage, such as cancer, in various parts of the body.
  • The high-tech scans allow doctors to see detailed images of the internal organs without the use of X-rays, and more than 60 million investigations using the technique take place each year.

 Science & Defence 

11. Shawna Pandya to become third Indian-origin Woman to fly in Space

 
  • An Indian-origin neurosurgeon currently based in Canada Shawna Pandya (32-year) has been shortlisted by r NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) for its 2018 space mission under the Citizen Science Astronaut (CSA) programme.
  • She may join the league of Kalpana Chawla and Sunita Williams.
Note:
  • Dr. Pandya completed her B.Sc in neuroscience at the University of Alberta, followed by MSc in space sciences at International Space University. T
  • hereafter, she did her MD in Medicine from University of Alberta.
  • She then applied for medical school as well as for the space program at the same time.

 Sports

 12. Virat Kohli becomes first Test batsman to score four double centuries in four consecutive series


  • Indian Skipper Virat Kohli has become the first batsman to score double centuries in four successive Test series surpassing legendary Sir Donald Bradman and Rahul Dravid.
  • Kohli's double tons came in the series against the West Indies, New Zealand, England and now Bangladesh.
  • Today, He scored 204 runs on the second day of the one-off Test against Bangladesh at Hyderabad.
  • Sir Bradman and Rahul Dravid achieved the feat in three successive series.
 Thought of the Day
“Fall seven times, stand up eight!”
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Posted by CHETHANA BANK INSTITUTE at

No comments

Subscribe to: Post Comments ( Atom )