Wednesday, 15 February 2017

INDIAN NEWS MATE

CINEMA

బాహుబలి-2 లో బాలీవుడ్ బాద్ షా “షా రూఖ్ ఖాన్ గెస్ట్ అప్పిరిఎన్స్ ?

హిందీ మీడియాలో ఇప్పుడు కొత్త రూమర్ షికారు చేస్తోంది. అది తెలుగు సినిమా ‘బాహుబలి-2’ విషయంలో! ఇందులో బాలీవుడ్ స్టార్ హీరో షారూక్ గెస్టప్పీరియన్స్ ఇవ్వబోతున్నాడనేది ఆ రూమర్ సారాంశం! ఈ సినిమాలో షారూక్ మెరుస్తాడని హిందీ చిత్ర పత్రికలు రాస్తున్నాయి. ఈ రూమర్ షారూక్ అభిమానులకు ఎగ్జైట్ Read More…
CINEMA

పూరీ-ఛార్మి ఫెవికాల్‌ బంధం !

పూరీ జగన్నాథ్‌ ఆమధ్య తన టీమ్‌ని మొత్తం మార్చేసాడు. ఆఫీస్‌ బాయ్‌తో సహా అందరినీ తీసేసి కొత్త వాళ్లని పెట్టుకున్నాడు. సేమ్‌ టీమ్‌ వుంటే సేమ్‌ ఆలోచనలే వస్తున్నాయని, ఆ టీమ్‌లో కూడా అలసత్వం వచ్చేసిందని, టేకిట్‌ ఫర్‌ గ్రాంటెడ్‌గా తీసుకుంటున్నారని పూరి చెప్పాడు. అదే టైమ్‌లో తన Read More…
CINEMA

దేశభక్తి చిత్రంలో వెంకీ

ఎటువంటి ఇమేజ్‌ చట్రంలోనూ చిక్కుకోని స్టార్‌ హీరోల్లో వెంకటేశ్‌ ఒకరు. పాత్రకు తగ్గట్టు పాదరసంలా మారుతుంటారు. ఇప్పుడీ పాదరసంను పవర్‌ఫుల్‌గా చూపించే ఆలోచనలో దర్శకుడు పూరి జగన్నాథ్‌ ఉన్నారట. మహేశ్‌బాబు హీరోగా ‘జనగణమణ’ అనే దేశభక్తి చిత్రం తీయనున్నట్లు గతంలో పూరి ప్రకటించారు. కానీ, మహేశ్‌ ఏ మాటా Read More…
CINEMA

గడ్డపారలా దిగే తెగువ అతనిలో ఉన్నాయి:రకుల్‌ప్రీత్‌ సింగ్‌

చూపులకు చిన్నోడే.. పాతికేళ్ల కుర్రాడే. కానీ, పులికి ఎదురెళ్ళే ధైర్యం.. పాతికమందిని మట్టుబెట్టే బలం.. గడ్డిపోచగా తీసినోళ్ల గుండెల్లో గడ్డపారలా దిగే తెగువ అతనిలో ఉన్నాయి. పరిస్థితులకు తలవంచకుండా గెలుపే లక్ష్యంగా పోరాడడం.. గెలిచి తీరడం అతని లక్షణం. మరి, ఆ కుర్రాడి కథేంటో మహాశివరాత్రికి థియేటర్లలో చూడమంటున్నారు Read More…
CINEMA

పవన్‌ కెరీర్‌లో ఇదే మొదటిసారి!

ఓ సినిమాకు సెండాఫ్‌ చెబుతూ. మరో సినిమాకు వెల్కమ్‌ చెప్పనున్నారు పవన్‌కల్యాణ్‌. కిశోర్‌ పార్ధసాని (డాలి) దర్శకత్వంలో ఆయన హీరోగా నటిస్తున్న ‘కాటమరాయుడు’ చిత్రీకరణ చివరి దశకు వచ్చేసిందట. వచ్చే నెల 29న ఈ చిత్రాన్ని విడుదల చేస్తామని ప్రకటించినప్పటికీ ఓ వారం ముందే. మార్చి 24న రిలీజ్‌ Read More…
CINEMA

భారత్‌లో అడుగుపెట్టనున్నా హాలీవుడ్‌ యువ పాప్‌ సింగర్‌

ఎట్టకేలకు ఓ నిరీక్షణకు తెరపడింది. ప్రముఖ హాలీవుడ్‌ యువ పాప్‌ సెన్సేషన్‌ సింగర్‌, గ్రామీ అవార్డు విజేత జస్టిన్‌ బీబర్‌ భారత్‌లో అడుగుపెట్టనున్నాడు. ఈ వేసవిలోనే అతడు ఇండియాకు వస్తున్నాడు. అధికారిక కార్యక్రమంలోనే భాగంగా ఈ ఏడాది(2017) మే 10న ముంబయికి వస్తున్నాడు. ప్రపంచ టూర్‌లో భాగంగా ఈ Read More…
CINEMA

నారా రోహిత్ అదిరిపోయే ట్రీట్

యంగ్ హీరో నారా రోహిత్ వేలంటైన్స్ డే సందర్భంగా ఫ్యాన్స్ కి అదిరిపోయే ట్రీట్ ఇచ్చాడు. తన తాజా చిత్రం కథలో రాజకుమారి ఫస్ట్ లుక్ విడుదల చేసి అభిమానులలో సినిమాపై భారీ అంచనాలు పెంచాడు. గతంలో ఎప్పుడు కనిపించని లుక్ లో నారా రోహిత్ ఈ పోస్టర్ Read More…
CINEMA

బాహుబలి వేలైంటైన్స్ డే గ్రీటింగ్ కార్డ్స్

మనిషి జీవితంలో ప్రేమ ఒక అనుభూతి. ఒక తపన, ఒక ఆర్తి, ఆవేదన. మనకంటూ ఒక మనిషి కావాలనే తపనే ప్రేమ. తను ప్రేమించిన మనిషికోసం ప్రేమికులు ఏదైనా చేస్తారు. ప్రేమతో ఏదైనా చెబితే అది శాసనమే. ప్రేమించిన మనిషికోసం కన్నవారిని కూడా వదిలి వచ్చేస్తున్నారంటే అది ఎంత Read More…
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INDIAN NEWS MATE

Quiz-15

                                         Quiz-15


Q1. Union Cabinet recently approved PMGDISHA scheme which will cover 6 crore rural households to make them-
(a) digitally literate
(b) professionally trained
(c) physically fit
(d) aware about diseases
(e) aware about vaccination

Q2. The Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has presented the state Budget for the session 2017-18 in the state assembly. The budget was based on the theme................?
(a) Boost Assam
(b) Grow up Assam
(c) Resurgent Assam
(d) Our Assam
(e) None of the given options is true

Q3. Alexei Navalny has was found guilty of embezzlement recently, is the opposition leader in-
(a) Ukraine
(b) Uzbekistan
(c) Mongolia
(d) Kazakhstan
(e) Russia

Q4. In a bid to strengthen cyber security system, the Reserve Bank (RBI) has decided to set up an inter-disciplinary panel on cyber security to examine various threats and suggest measures to deal with it. The decision has been taken based on the recommendations of the expert panel on information technology examination and cyber security headed by- 
(a) R Gandhi
(b) HR Khan
(c) Bibek Debroy
(d) Meena Hemachandra
(e) SS Mundra

Q5. Which among the following state has became the first state in the North-East to implement the e-cabinet solution for the state cabinet members?
(a) Meghalaya
(b) Arunachal Pradesh
(c) Tripura
(d) Sikkim
(e) Assam

Q6. Which country has surpassed Germany to become the world’s largest producer of solar energy after nearly doubling its installed photovoltaic capacity in 2016?
(a) Japan
(b) India
(c) USA
(d) France
(e) China

Q7. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is planning to launch Chandrayaan-2, a totally indigenous initiative consisting of an orbiter, lander and rover, during the first quarter of-
(a) 2017
(b) 2025
(c) 2019
(d) 2018
(e) 2021

Q8. Which bank has collaborated with fintech startup IndiaLends to enable first-time borrowers who do not have a credit history to take loans?
(a) HDFC Bank
(b) Axis Bank
(c) IDFC Bank
(d) Bandhan Bank
(e) ICICI Bank

Q9. CBDT, Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance has entered into four more unilateral Advance Pricing Agreements (APAs). What is the meaning of "B" in CBDT?
(a) Bureau
(b) Board
(c) Bank
(d) Basket
(e) None of the given options is true

Q10. Name the veteran freedom fighter, who was passed away recently?
(a) Racharla Samrajyam
(b) Mrinal Shankar
(c) Sudha Mudgal
(d) Shobhana Desai
(e) None of the given options is true

Q11. The government has sold two per cent stake in ITC to ______________ and earned Rs 6,690 crore (around $1 billion) as part of its divestment plan for 2016-17.
(a) SIDBI
(b) SEBI
(c) RBI
(d) LIC
(e) SBI

Q12. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s driver and INA veteran ‘Colonel’ ___________ has passed away in his native village of Dhakwa in Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh after a prolonged illness.
(a) Nizamuddin
(b) Asfaq Ansari 
(c) Surah Bhan Singh
(d) Vijay Deverakonda
(e) Md Azam

Q13. Which among the following countries has been barred from international competition since November 2015 following a damaging report alleging that state-sponsored doping was rife in the country? 
(a) France
(b) Canada
(c) Russia
(d) China
(e) Germany

Q14. Name the person/persons, who/whom has appointed as the part-time Non-Official Directors on the all-powerful Central Board of the Reserve Bank of India for a four-year term. 
(a) Ashok Gulati
(b) Manish Sabharwal
(c) Rajiv Kumar
(d) Meena Hemchanda
(e) Only (a), (b) and (c) 

Q15. The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved PMGDISHA recently. What is the meaning of "G" in PMGDISHA?
(a) Grahak 
(b) Gramin
(c) Gramsewak
(d) Grassroot
(e) None of the given options is true

Solutions

S1. Ans.(a)
Sol. The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved 'Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan' (PMGDISHA) to make 6 crore rural households digitally literate. The outlay for this project is Rs.2,351.38 crore to usher in digital literacy in rural India by March,2019. This is in line with the announcement made by Finance Minister in the Union Budget 2016-17. PMGDISHA is expected to be one of the largest digital literacy programmes in the world. Under the scheme, 25 lakh candidates will be trained in the FY 2016-17; 275 lakh in the FY 2017-18; and 300 lakh in the FY 2018-19. To ensure equitable geographical reach, each of the 250,000 Gram Panchayats would be expected to register an average of 200-300 candidates. 

S2. Ans.(c)
Sol. The Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has presented the state Budget for the session 2017-18 in the state assembly. The budget was based on the theme “Resurgent Assam”.As per the Minister the state Budget 2017-18 was Rs. 2,349.79 crore deficit Budget. The budget presented merged Plan and Non-Plan expenditures. The Government has redefined the role of Planning & Development Department. 

S3. Ans.(e)
Sol. A Russian court has stopped a presidential bid by Alexei Navalny, the country’s most popular opposition politician, by resurrecting a criminal conviction from 2013. The decision reflects jitters in the Kremlin as President Vladimir Putin weighs his re-election strategy at a time of uncertainty about Russia’s international relations, given elections in key European capitals and the incipient relationship with Donald Trump’s US administration.

S4. Ans.(d)
Sol. In a bid to strengthen cyber security system, the Reserve Bank (RBI) has decided to set up an inter-disciplinary panel on cyber security to examine various threats and suggest measures to deal with it. The panel will review the threats inherent in the existing or emerging technology on an ongoing basis. The decision has been taken based on the recommendations of the expert panel on information technology examination and cyber security headed by Meena Hemachandra.

S5. Ans.(b)
Sol. Arunachal Pradesh has become the first state in the northeast to implement the e-Cabinet solution for the state cabinet members. Using this system, the cabinet members can access the cabinet notes before the meeting. The entire business of the Cabinet can be conducted using the e-Cabinet solution.

S6. Ans.(e)
Sol. China has surpassed Germany to become the world’s largest producer of solar energy after nearly doubling its installed photovoltaic capacity in 2016. With the increased capacity, China generated 66.2 billion kilowatt-hours of energy last year, which however accounted for only 1% of its electrical output. The country further plans to double its current solar energy capacity by 2020.

S7. Ans.(d)
Sol. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is planning to launch Chandrayaan-2 during the first quarter of 2018, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Jitendra Singh said, added that Chandrayaan-2, India's second mission to the Moon, is a totally indigenous initiative consisting of an orbiter, lander and rover.

S8. Ans.(c)
Sol. Private sector lender IDFC Bank has collaborated with fintech startup IndiaLends to enable first-time borrowers who do not have a credit history to take loans. Loan requests by salaried applicants without credit history will now be processed on a real-time basis. The unique solution is being offered through a tie-up with IndiaLends, a financial technology startup.

S9. Ans.(b)
Sol. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance has entered into four more unilateral Advance Pricing Agreements (APAs). The four APAs signed pertain to the Manufacturing, Financial and Information Technology sectors of the economy. The international transactions covered in these agreements include Contract Manufacturing, IT Enabled Services and Software Development Services. 

S10. Ans.(a)
Sol. Racharla Samrajyam, a veteran freedom fighter, passed away following the age-related illness at Vishakhapatnam. She was 98.  She was inspired by the Quit India Movement at the time when she was undergoing Hindi Pracharak training at Anantapur in 1942. It was at this point of time, she had quit the training programme and joined the Quit India Movement.

S11. Ans.(d)
Sol. The government has sold two per cent stake in ITC to Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) and earned Rs 6,690 crore (around $1 billion) as part of its divestment plan for 2016-17. The stake, held under the so-called Specified Undertaking of the Unit Trust of India (SUUTI), was sold at Rs 275.85 per share through block deals. According to stock exchange data, the stake was picked up by LIC, LIC (Scheme 5) and LIC Allocation Contra Fund.

S12. Ans.(a)
Sol. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s driver and INA veteran ‘Colonel’ Nizamuddin has passed away in his native village of Dhakwa in Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh after a prolonged illness. Born in 1901, Nizamuddin was over 116 years old. He is survived by his wife Ajbul Nisha, three sons and two daughters. His youngest son Sheikh Akram. ‘Colonel’ Nizamuddin, who had served in the Indian National Army from 1943-45, had proclaimed himself as one of the most trusted lieutenants of Netaji.

S13. Ans.(c)
Sol. Russia has been barred from international competition since November 2015 following a damaging report alleging that state-sponsored doping was rife in the country. The ban had already been extended in March and then June 2016, preventing Russia's athletes from competing at the Rio Olympics.

S14. Ans.(e)
Sol. The Government has appointed three part-time Non-Official Directors on the all-powerful Central Board of the Reserve Bank of India for a four-year term. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has appointed Ashok Gulati, Manish Sabharwal and Rajiv Kumar as part-time Non-Official Directors on the Central Board. Stating this, the Department of Personnel and Training said the appointments are for a period of four years. 

S15. Ans.(b)
Sol. The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved 'Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan' (PMGDISHA) to make 6 crore rural households digitally literate. The outlay for this project is Rs.2,351.38 crore to usher in digital literacy in rural India by March 2019. This is in line with the announcement made by Finance Minister in the Union Budget 2016-17. PMGDISHA is expected to be one of the largest digital literacy programmes in the world. Under the scheme, 25 lakh candidates will be trained in the FY 2016-17; 275 lakh in the FY 2017-18; and 300 lakh in the FY 2018-19. To ensure equitable geographical reach, each of the 250,000 Gram Panchayats would be expected to register an average of 200-300 candidates. 

Tuesday, 14 February 2017

Daily GK Update 14th February, 2017

 Daily GK Update 14th February, 2017


11th International Aero India 2017 to begin at Yelahanka in Bengaluru
i. The 11th International Aerospace and Defence Exhibition - Aero India 2017 will begin at the Air Force Station, Yelahanka in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
ii. The five-day biennial event is being organized by Defence Exhibition Organisation (DEO). Nearly 270 Indian and 279 foreign companies will take part in the expo. 
iii. Surya Kiran Aerobatics team of the Indian Air Force will display 500th public show since its formation in 1996. Aircraft from different parts of the world and India could be seen at the base, waiting to enthral the crowds.
iv. Fighter aircraft manufacturers like Lockheed Martin, SAAB, Dassault Aviation, BAE and others are setting up stalls where they will showcase their products. 72 aircraft will participate in airshow.

I-T dept issues refunds of Rs 1.42 cr this fiscal; 41.5% higher than last year, 2016
i. The income tax department has issued refunds of 1.42 lakh crore rupees so far this fiscal. It is 41.5 per cent higher than last year, 2016. 
ii. The centralised processing centre of the tax department has already processed over 4.19 crore income tax returns and issued over 1.62 crore refunds during the current financial year. 
iii. Finance Ministry in a release stated that, 92% of the refunds issued are below 50 thousand rupees, due to the high priority given to expeditious issue of refunds to small taxpayers. It stated that, only 2% of refunds less than 50 thousand rupees remain to be issued. The Ministry said that 92% of all I-T returns were processed within 60 days. 

Thailand seeks India’s partnership in pharma, bio-tech
i. Thailand is seeking India’s cooperation in a number of sectors, such as aerospace, automation, medical devices, pharmaceutical, bio-technology and IT/ITes, as it strives to transform into a value-based economy.
ii. The Thailand Board of Investment, which has invited 2,500 investors from across countries to its mega seminar Opportunity Thailand 2017 this week, is especially interested in investments from India, an official from the thai government has stated.
iii. The India-Thailand Free Trade Agreement being considered by the two countries could play a big role in boosting trade and investments.

India’s first floating elementary school inaugurated on Manipur’s Loktak Lake
i. India’s first floating elementary school particularly for drop outs has been inaugurated on Loktak lake at Langolsabi Leikai of Champu Khangpok floating village in Manipur on the occasion of World Wetlands Day on February 2, 2017.
ii. The school named as Loktak Elementary Floating School has been opened under an  floating elementary schoolinitiative of All Loktak Lake Fishermen’s Union, Manipur (ALLAFUM) with the support of NGO, People’s Resources Development Association (PRDA) under a programme of Action Aid India.

Bill Passed in Karnataka Assembly to allow ‘Kambala’
i. The Karnataka assembly unanimously passed the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Karnataka Amendment) Bill, 2017 to legalize the conduct of 'Kambala' and bullock cart races in Karnataka.
ii. The Bill seeks to amend the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, (Central Act 59 of 1960) and exempt the two sports from the ambit of the Act keeping in mind their traditional nature and also to protect native breeds of buffaloes.
iii. The bill states that the traditional sports events of 'Kambala' and 'Bulls race or Bullock cart race' plays significant role in preserving and promoting traditions and culture among the people in the state.

Be friends with condom: AHF on International Condoms Day
i. AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) celebrated its annual International Condoms Day on 13 February 2017 in a unique style to raise awareness about HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
ii. The event themed 'Always in Fashion' gave it a sartorial prominence and promoted the idea that condoms were not some alien rubber, but crucial for safety during sex.A 40-feet inflatable condom-shaped balloon was also installed at Central Park in Connaught Place, on which public was encouraged to sign and endorse condom use

National Career Services (NCS) and Jeevan Praman Facility for EPFO Pensioners Launched in Hyderabad Post Office
i. The Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment Bandaru Dattatreya launched the National Career Service (NCS) for youths and Jeevan Praman facility to EPFO pensioners through Post Offices at DakSadan in Hyderabad.
ii. The Post Offices will serve as an Employment Registration Centres for Unemployed rural youth on behalf of the 'National Career Service' Portal where youths can register themselves for employment in 1,55,000 post offices established across the country for over 3000 occupations offered under 52 sectors in NCS

MEA & Gateway House Co-Hosts 2nd Gateway of India Geoeconomic Dialogue 
i. The Ministry of External Affairs and Gateway House are co-hosting the Second Gateway of India Geoeconomic Dialogue from February 13-14, 2017 in Mumbai.
ii. The theme of the conference is 'Where Geopolitics meets Business'.This is India’s premier geo-economics conference with the focus on building synergies between business and foreign policy

Sachin Tendulkar adopts another village for transformation
i. After transforming the lives of villagers in Puttamraju Kandriga in Andhra Pradesh, Indian cricket icon and Rajya Sabha MP Sachin Tendulkar is now set to adopt Donja in Osmanabad (Maharashtra) under the Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojna.
ii. Tendulkar has sanctioned over Rs 4 crore from his MPLAD fund for development of Donja.

GNFC township becomes India’s first cashless Township
i. India’s first cashless township “Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizers and Chemicals (GNFC) township”was inaugurated by Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani. 
ii. Nearly 10,000 residents in GNFC have embraced various digital mode of payments instead of cash.In the township, residents are making cashless payments at shopping centres, schools, colleges, hospital, stadium, laundry and even at tea stalls.

Government to launch Indradhanush 2.0 for Recapitalization of PSBs
i. Union Government has decided to launch ‘Indradhanush 2.0’ for recapitalisation of public sector lenders so that the banks remain solvent and fully comply with the global capital adequacy norms namely Basel-III.
ii. The Indradhanush 2.0 programme will be finalised by Reserve Bank of India (RBI) after completion of Asset Quality Review (AQR) being undertaken and is likely to be completed by end of March 2017.Asset Quality Review is being undertaken to recognize the top defaulting accounts as Non-Performing Assets (NPA) and make adequate provisions for them as they have negative impact on banks and their stocks.
iii. Post AQR, revised programme of capitalisation will be also issued as part of ‘Indradhanush 2.0.Earlier in 2015, under Indradhanush roadmap, the government had announced to infuse Rs 70,000 crore for recapitalization in state-run banks over four years while the banks had to raise a further Rs 1.1 lakh crore from the markets to meet their capital requirement in line with global risk norms known as Basel-III.

INS Sarvekshak Becomes India’s First Ship to be Installed with Solar Power System
i. Indian Navy’s survey class vessel INS Sarvekshak has become the first ship in India to be fitted with solar power system on board.
ii. The ship has been equipped with 18 sheets of solar panel of 300 Watt which is capable of generating 5.4 kW power.


Reliance Defence Signs Master Ship Repair Agreement with US Navy
i. The Reliance Defence and Engineering Ltd (RDEL) has signed a Master Ship Repair Agreement (MSRA) with US Navy  to perform repair and alteration services for US Navy’s Seventh Fleet vessels.The Reliance Infrastructure Ltd (RInfra) controlled RDEL will perform complex repair and alternation services for the US Navy’s Seventh Fleet vessels operating in the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean.
ii. The Reliance Shipyard was qualified by US Navy as an approved contractor to perform complex repair for the US Navy’s Seventh Fleet vessels in January 2017.Reliance Shipyard at Pipavav, Gujarat is the first shipyard in India to have received MSRA Certification to undertake servicing and repairing works for the vessels of Seventh Fleet.

L&T and MBDA Missile Systems Forms JV to Develop Missiles in India
i. Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T), an Engineering and construction major has entered into a Joint Venture with European defence major MBDA Missile Systems.
ii. The main aim of the JV is development of missiles in India under the Make in India initiative while procuring the missile systems from abroad.As per the agreement, L&T will own 51 percent stake in the JV named L&T MBDA Missile Systems while the rest 49% the European partner.L&T is targeting an annual turnover of Rs 10,000 crore from the JV by 2021.

Ruchi Soya ties up with Patanjali
i. India's leading agri and FMCG company Ruchi Soya Industries Ltd has signed an agreement with Baba Ramdev-promoted Patanjali Ayurved Ltd for physical refining and packaging of edible oils. 
ii. The agreement is valid initially for three years. As per the agreement, Ruchi Soya Industries would process the crude oil provided by Patanjali Ayurved and pack the refined oil as per their specifications.

New bird species found in Nepal
i. A Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush has been spotted in the high mountainous region of Nepal by Friends of Nature (FoN) reasearchers and then confirmed by the bird experts Carol Inskipp and Hem Sagar Baral.
ii. Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush is considered an autumn passage migrant bird species in Pakistan and India.With this the total number of avian species in the Himalayan country to 866. 

Longest elevated cycle path in the world opens in China
i. The world’s longest elevated cycle path has been opened in Xiamen, China which can handle about 2,023 cyclists with a speed limit of 15 miles per hour.
ii. The path is five miles long and 16 feet wide having 11 entrances and connects to 11 bus stops and two underground rail stations.
iii. The architecture firm responsible is Copenhagen-based firm Dissing + Weitling, known for the creation of the Danish Bicycle Snake cycle route.

Frank Walter Steinmeier Elected New President of Germany
i. Germany’s former Foreign Minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier has been elected as the new President of Germany.The 61-year old won by 931 votes out of 1,239 valid votes cast by the members of the Federal Assembly.
ii. He is due to take office as the 12th Federal President of Germany on 19 March 2017.Steinmeier, a member of the Social Democratic party will succeed incumbent President Joachim Gauck who will step down on March 18, 2017 at the age of 77.

US National Security Adviser Michael Flynn resigns over his contacts with Russia
In the United States, National Security Adviser Michael Flynn has resigned over his contacts with Russia. Mr Flynn is alleged to have discussed US sanctions with the Russian Ambassador before President Donald Trump took office.



Maiden ITTF World Tour event in India to kick of in New Delhi
i. The first ever ITTF World Tour event in India will begin at the Thyagaraj Sports Complex in New Delhi. The 1.5 lakh US dollar India Open also happens to be the biggest ever ITTF event in terms of prize money. 
ii. But despite the rewards on offer, a majority of the top international table tennis stars have given the competition a miss. Overall, 80 players have confirmed their participation, 52 in the men's section and 28 in the women's section.

Dutch Women Germaine De Randamie crowned first UFC Women’s Featherweight Champion
i. Netherland native Germaine de Randamie defeated Holly Holm (7-3) to claim the UFC Women’s Featherweight Champion at the UFC 208 in Brooklyn, New York .
ii. The featherweight division was newly introduced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in 2016.


Joe Root Becomes New Test Captain of England 
i. The England and Wales Cricket Board named Joe Root as England’s Test captain who will take over Alastair Cook.
ii. Durham all-rounder Ben Stokes has been named as the vice-captain.Alastair Cook resigned on February 6, 2017 after captaining England for four and a half years in 59 Tests.