World Malaria Day: 25 April
i. World Malaria Day is observed globally on 25th of April every year. It is organized by World Health Organization (WHO).ii. This year’s global theme for World Malaria Day is 'End Malaria for Good'.
India replaces Japan as no. 2 LPG importer
i. India has replaced Japan as world's number two importer of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). The result is an outcome of the rigorous effort of Nation's call for a 'safer kitchen'.ii. According to data from Oil Ministry's Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell, the country imported 23 percent more LPG in the financial year 2016-17, a figure that stands at 11 million tonnes.
iii. China continues to occupy the top position as world's largest LPG importer.
India becomes world's fifth-largest military spender
i. India's military expenditure grew around 8.5 percent in 2016, making it the world's fifth largest spender at $55.9 billion, figures released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).ii. As per the figures, the US remains the world's largest military spender registering a growth of 1.7 percent between 2015 and 2016 to $611 billion.
iii. China is second and Russia is on the third position in the list.
i. India’s first and longest ropeway to connect Mumbai with the famous Elephanta Island in the Arabian Sea is planned to be constructed by the Mumbai Port Trust, according to the official report.ii. The 8-km ropeway will begin from Sewri in Mumbai’s east coast and end at Raigad district’s Elephanta Island, globally renowned for Elephanta Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
India, France carry out joint naval exercise 'Varuna'
i. The Indian Navy has begun a joint maritime exercise with the French Navy at the Mediterranean Sea to further deepen combat coordination between the two navies.ii. Guided missile destroyer INS Mumbai, stealth frigate INS Trishul and fleet tanker INS Aditya are taking part in the 'Varuna' exercise which will continue till April 30.
SBI, CREDAI ink MoU for concessional loan for housing projects
i. State Bank of India and real estate developers’ body CREDAI (Confederation of Real Estate Developers' Associations of India) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly conduct various initiatives towards development of the realty sector.ii. The MoU will be in force for a period of 3 years. Each of them will leverage their individual strengths and collaborate in areas to promote 'housing for all'.
iii. The MoU is meant to mobilize the credibility of our members and the reach of the largest bank in India to cater to both home loans and construction finance requirements of the real estate sector.
Veteran actor Kasinathuni Viswanath wins Dadasaheb Phalke award for 2016
i. Renowned Director and actor Kasinathuni Viswanath has won the Dadasaheb Phalke award for the year 2016 for his outstanding contribution to the film industry.ii. He will be the 48th recipient of the award, the highest recognition in Indian cinema, which consists of a golden lotus, a cash prize of Rs10 lakh and a shawl. President Pranab Mukherjee will confer the award on him at a ceremony on May 3, 2017, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
Top environmental activist Prafulla Samantara selected for Goldman Environmental Prize from Asia region
i. Top environmental activist Prafulla Samantara of Odisha has been selected for Goldman Environmental Prize 2017 (also called as Green Nobel) from Asia region for championing the cause of State’s Dongria Kondh tribals and safeguarding their land and culture.ii. Samantara is the sixth Indian to win the prize, had led a historic legal battle that protected the Niyamgiri Hills in Odisha.
Indian shot putter Manpreet Kaur bags Gold at Asian Grand Prix Meet in China
i. Indian shot putter Manpreet Kaur has clinched a gold in the first leg of the Asian Grand Prix Athletics Meet in Jinhua, China.ii. Manpreet came up with the best throw of 18.86 meter, which was nearly one meter more than her earlier national record of 17.96 meters that she had set in 2015. India ended the one-day event with seven medals - 1 Gold, 4 Silver, 2 Bronze.
Important Takeaways from above GK Update for Exams are as follows-
- World Malaria Day is observed on 25th of April
- It is organized by World Health Organization (WHO)
- The theme for World Malaria Day 2017 is 'End Malaria for Good'
- Dr. Margaret Chan is the Director-General of WHO.
- India has replaced Japan as no. 2 LPG importer
- China is the world's largest importer of LPG
- India becomes world's fifth-largest military spender with an expenditure of $55.9 billion
- The figures were released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)
- The USA topped the list and China and Russia was in second and third positions respectively.
- India gets first sea ropeway to link Mumbai and Elephanta island
- The 8-km ropeway will begin from Sewri in Mumbai’s east coast and end at Raigad district’s Elephanta Island
- Elephanta Caves is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- India and France carry out joint naval exercise named 'Varuna'
- The exercise is conducted in the Mediterranean Sea
- François Hollande is the President of France and its Capital is in Paris.
- Kasinathuni Viswanath has won the Dadasaheb Phalke award for 2016
- Devika Rani was the first awardee of Dadasaheb Phalke award
- The award consists of a golden lotus, a cash prize of Rs10 lakh and a shawl
- SBI and CREDAI have signed an MoU for concessional loan for housing projects
- Full form of CREDAI is Confederation of Real Estate Developers' Associations of India
- The MoU will be in force for a period of 3 years.
- Prafulla Samantara is selected for Goldman Environmental Prize 2017 from Asia region
- Goldman Environmental Prize 2017 is also called as Green Nobel
- Prafulla Samantara is the top environmental activist of Odisha
- Indian shot putter Manpreet Kaur clinched Gold at Asian Grand Prix Meet in China
- Manpreet Singh has qualified for the IAAF World Championships to be held in August 2017 in London
- India clinched up total seven medals in the one-day event.
