Daily GK Update 07th March, 2017

Daily GK Update 07th March, 2017

HRD Ministry to set up NTA to Conduct Exams for Higher & Secondary Education

i. The Union Human Resource Development Ministry led by ‎under Prakash Javadekar is set to constitute a National Testing Agency (NTA) which will be responsible for conducting examinations for higher and secondary education.

ii. The announcement was made in the Union Budget 2017-18  by the Finance Minister who proposed to set up NTA as an autonomous and self-sustained premier testing agency to conduct all entrance exams to higher education. 

iii. The main aim of setting NTA is to ease the work of the bodies like CBSE, AICTE, from the responsibilities of conducting exams, and eventually enable them to focus more on academics.

5.8 magnitude earthquake hits Uttarakhand, tremors also felt in Delhi-NCR

i. A moderate intensity earthquake measuring 5.8 on Richter scale hit Uttarakhand last night (06 February 2017), with tremors also felt in Delhi and other parts of northern India.

ii. Operations head at National Seismological Bureau JL Gautam said, the epicentre of the quake was Rudraprayag district in Uttarakhand.

Andhra Pradesh: First Smart Police Station inaugurated

i. In Andhra Pradesh, the first Smart Police Station, having look and feel of a corporate-style office, started functioning. 

ii. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu inaugurated the first model police station at Nagarampalem in the capital region Amaravati.He also inaugurated the second model police station in old Guntur town. 

Railways Approves Rail Project in Andaman and Nicobar

i. The Railway Ministry is set to develop the first ever railway line in Andaman and Nicobar Island that currently has no rail network.

ii. The Ministry of Railway is set to approve the project that will construct 240-km broad gauge railway line connecting Port Blair with Diglipur, the largest town on Andaman Island. It will connect the two islands with bridges and stations along the coast.

Tripartite MoU signed among M/o of Tourism, M/s NPCC & NBCC and Govt of J&K for Implementation of Tourism Projects In J&K

i. A Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed among the Ministry of Tourism, M/s NPCC & NBCC and Government of J&K on  for the implementation of Tourism projects in Jammu and Kashmir.

ii. As a part of the new initiative, Development of Tourism in the State New Projects, the Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned two projects, one each to NPCC and NBCC in the J&K which will be implemented by September 2017.

iii. The first project sanctioned to M/s NBCC includes Integrated Development of Tourist facilities at Gulmarg Baramulla  Kupwara Leh. The total outlay of the project is Rs. 96.62 Crore.

iv. The project under M/s NPCC includes Integrated Development of Tourist facilities at Mantalai Sudhmahadev  Patnitop in Jammu & Kashmir. The total outlay of the project is Rs. 97.82 Crore.

Bank of Maharashtra ties up with Cigna TTK

i. Public sector lender Bank of Maharashtra has partnered with insurance company Cigna TTK Health to market the insurer’s products in the bank’s branches across the entire country.

ii. Under the agreement, the bank will offer the all of Cigna TTK’s superior health insurance products to its 2 crore customers through its network of over 1,896 branches, its 14,000 bank employees across the country as well as through its digital platforms.

Axis Bank ties up with Earthport 

i. India’s third largest private bank, Axis Bank has tied up with Earthport Plc, a cross-border payment network, to enable faster outbound cross-border payments for its customers through Earthport’s state-of-the-art global payments network.

ii.  Axis Bank has become the first bank in India to connect with Earthport’s global payments network, which spans over 60 countries.

Ujjivan Small Finance Bank Starts Pilot Operation in Bengaluru

i. The Ujjivan Small Finance Bank officially started its operation with 5 pilot branches in Bengaluru. Samit Ghosh is the MD and CEO of the Ujjivan Small Finance Bank.

ii. The five pilot branches of the Ujjivan SFB would offer full services to its customers. The  Ujjivan Small Finance BankSmall Finance Bank will test its technology, channels, people and processes for a period of one month as a part of its pilot launch.

iii. The Bank aims to launch about 14 branches by March 2017 and extend services across 457 branches in 24 states in a planned and phased manner over the next few months.

Indian Coast Guard to have Joint Exercise with UAE Coast Guard

i. In an effort to strengthen the bilateral relations between India and UAE, the Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Samudra Pavak made a goodwill visit at the Mina Al Rashid (Dubai Port) from February 4 to 7, 2017.

ii. The Indian Ambassador in UAE Navdeep Suri visited the Indian Navy ship on February 5, 2017. During the stay at port Rashid, a series of activities is scheduled to take place between Indian and UAE coast guard. 

iii. As a part of the visit, a joint exercise is scheduled to take place between Indian coast guard and UAE coast guard to enhance co-operation and exchange of operational expertise.

Indian-Origin British Sculptor Anish Kapoor Wins $ 1 Million Israeli Prize

i. Renowned Indian-origin British sculptor Anish Kapoor was honored with the prestigious $1 million 2017 Genesis Prize by Israel for his utmost contribution for Jewish community.

ii. However, the money received by the innovative artist would be contributed by him to help the Syrian refugees and expand Jewish engagement in the global effort to reduce the refugee crisis.

iii. The 62-year-old Anish was chosen by the prize committee headed by Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky.

Queen Elizabeth II marks Sapphire Jubilee

i. Queen Elizabeth II, the world’s longest reigning sovereign, has became the first British monarch to reach her Sapphire Jubilee, with 65 years on the throne.

ii. The 90-year-old monarch is marking the landmark as a day of private contemplation at her Sandringham estate in Norfolk as it also coincides with the day her father, George V who has died

UN Agency Calls for International Collaboration on Wheat Rust to Curb Threat to Global Supplies 

i. According to a new study conducted by scientists in collaboration with the UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), two new groups of wheat rust have been identified that posed threat to wheat produced in Africa, Asia and Europe in 2016.

ii. As per the data, the two new groups have been identified as yellow rust and stem rust. The finding calls for the need for early detection and rapid action to keep the fungus under control.

India to host World Billiards Championship for next four years

i. The Billiards and Snoooker Federation of India (BSFI)informed that India will host the World Billiards Championship for the next four years.

ii. In 2016, the World Billiards Championship was held in Bengaluru.In the prestigious tournament, Pankaj Advani won in the 150-UP format beating Peter Gilchrist of Singapore.

iii.The Billiards and Snooker Federation of India (BSFI) is the central authority that deals with the growth and development of cue sports in India.

Alastair Cook resigns as England Test captain

i. Alastair Cook has resigned as England Test captain after a record 59 matches in the role. Cook tendered his resignation to England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chairman Colin Graves, but intends to continue playing Test cricket. 

ii. Cook, England's leading scorer in Tests with 11,057 runs, became captain in August 2012.He has led England in a record 69 one-day internationals between 2010 and 2014. He has been the country's most capped Test skipper and has scored more Test centuries than any previous captain.

Iran Lifts Ban on American Wrestling Team

i. Iran lifted up the ban it had imposed on United States Wrestlers, thus allowing them to participate in the Freestyle World Cup to be held in Iran in February 2017.

ii. Iran had banned the American team on February 3, 2017 after the decision of US President Donald Trump to temporarily suspend Visas to seven Muslim majority countries including Iran. 

iii. However, the United States Federal Judge suspended the ban imposed by US Government on Iranian Nationals travelling to the U.S. But the Trump administration is again appealing to reinstate the travel ban.The Freestyle World Cup is to be held in the Iranian city of Kermanshah from February 16 to February 17, 2017.