QUIZ-6

QUIZ-6

Q1. Who has won the men’s singles title of the 2017 Syed Modi Grand Prix Gold badminton tournament in Lucknow recently?
Answer: Sameer Verma

Q2. In which Indian cities, Cab-hailing firm Uber has launched two-wheeler aggregation service UberMOTO recently?
Answer: Hyderabad

Q3. The Supreme Court has appointed a four-member committee to run the affairs of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) which will be led by-
Answer: Vinod Rai

Q4. Name the person, who has been appointed as the president of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) recently?
Answer: Dushyant Chautala

Q5. Union Health Secretary C.K. Mishra has recently launched a kit that will provide information on adolescent related issues such as puberty and mental health, among others. What is the name of that kit?
Answer: Saathiya Resource Kits

Q6. How much surcharge for those whose annual income is Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crore, announced by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in the Union Budget 2017-18?
Answer: 10%

Q7. Name the Former Union Minister, who has been passed away due to a cardiac arrest recently.
Answer: E Ahamed

Q8. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has pegged the total expenditure of budget 2017-18 at Rs ___________ lakh crore. 
Answer: Rs 21.47 lakh crore

Q9. In which state, the Union Minister for Panchayati Raj and Rural Development, Narendra Singh Tomar has stated that the Ministry of Defence is set to open its Defence Unit recently?
Answer: Madhya Pradesh

Q10. How much amount will allocate for Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) in union budget 2017-18?
Answer: Rs. 19,000 crore

Q11. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has proposed a creation of a six-member Payments Regulatory Board in the RBI, headed by RBI Governor ___________ as part of bringing about structural reforms in the payment eco-system.
Answer: Urjit Patel

Q12. National carrier Air India will receive how much amount as equity infusion in 2017-18 under the government’s ongoing financial assistance and the amount is slightly higher than the allocation for 2016-2017?
Answer: Rs 1,800 crore

Q13. A new scheme will be introduced by Govt of India to create infrastructure for exports, a move aimed at reducing transaction costs for traders named TIES. what is the full form of TIES?
Answer: Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme

Q14. What is the theme state of the 31st edition of Surajkund International Crafts Mela 2017?
Answer: Jharkhand

Q15. UK Prime Minister ____________ has received Parliament's first stage approval to begin the process of Britain's exit from the European Union (EU) after winning a crucial vote in the House of Commons.
Answer: Theresa May

Daily GK Update 05th March, 2017

Daily GK Update 05th March, 2017

GST Council approves draft CGST and IGST Bills

i. The Centre and States approved the model draft Bills for Centre and Integrated goods and services tax (GST).The Council has also included a revised peak rate of 20 percent under GST, instead of the earlier 18 percent. This would mean that the total incidence of the tax could go as high as 40 percent.

ii. The next meeting of the Council will now be held on March 16, when it will finalize the draft Bills for State and Union Territory GST.

Punjab, J&K seal fresh deal on Shahpur Kandi project

i. A renewed agreement between Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir has been sealed for the completion of the Shahpur Kandi Dam project, work on which was halted two years ago following a dispute. This move comes days before its annual Indus Water Commission meeting with Pakistan in Lahore. 

ii. The 55.5-meter high Shahpur Kandi dam in Punjab, will help in providing irrigation facility to 5000 hectares of land in Punjab and 32173 hectares in J&K, besides generation of 206 MW power.

Google India inks MoU with Telangana government

i. Google India and Telangana government have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at supporting the digitization efforts of the state.

ii. Google India will provide Google Cloud credits and access to all cloud platform products to eligible startups engaged with Telangana government’s T-Hub initiative and through its Developer Relations team provide technical mentor-ship and advisory support to various startups.

Hyderabad University research projects bags Rs113 cr funding

i. Strategic research projects at the University of Hyderabad (UoH) Centre-ARCHEM supported by the Defence Ministry will get a whopping Rs. 113 crore funding for the next five years.

ii. The University, among the top five in the country will very soon become the first public-funded University to house a 500 MHz NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance), as a joint facility between the the Advanced Centre for Research in High Energy Materials (ARCHEM) and the School of Chemistry.

Former IFS and MP Syed Shahabuddin dies

i. Former IFS and MP Syed Shahabuddin dies at the age of 82 after suffering from prolonged illness.

ii. During his time, Shahabuddin had strongly opposed the demolition of the Babri Masjid and was the leader of the Babri Action Committee. Born in 1935, in Ranchi, Jharkhand, Shahabuddin began working as a diplomat for the Indian Foreign Service (IFS), but later became a politician. He served three terms from 1979-1996 as an MP. He was the Joint Secretary in charge of South East Asia, the Indian Ocean and the Pacific in the Ministry of External Affairs.

South Korea and United States Begin Annual Military Drill Foal Eagle

i. The United States and South Korean troops started their large-scale annual military drill named Foal Eagle.The month-long exercises will run last in April 2017 and will overlap with the Key Resolve exercise which will begin on March 13, 2017.

ii. The aim of the military exercise is to test their defense readiness against the threat from North Korea. North Korea conducted its first ballistic missile test of 2017 in February and views the Foal Eagle Exercise 2017 as preparation for war against it.

Cognizant buys Japanese digital firm Brilliant Service Co

i. American multinational corporation Cognizant has pocketed a deal to acquire Japanese digital firm Brilliant Service Co which is specialized in intelligent products and solutions, digital strategy, product design and engineering, the Internet of Things, and enterprise mobility.

ii. Subsequently, this acquisition will help cognizant to foster its digital transformation portfolio and capabilities to enable clients to build connected and collaborative businesses.

QUIZ-05

QUIZ-5

Q1. State-run gas company Gas Authority of India Ltd. (GAIL) has signed a time-swap deal with a trader company Gunvor to sell some of its US Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as the Indian firm tries to ease the burden of its costly foreign LNG supplies. Gunvor is ______________ based company.

(a) Austria

(b) Switzerland

(c) Japan

(d) Australia

(e) Denmark

Q2. The Indian navy has successfully test-fired an anti-ship missile for the first time from an indigenously built ______________, recently.

(a) Charlie class submarine

(b) Arihant class submarine

(c) Sindhughosh class submarine

(d) Kalvari class submarine

(e) Chakra class submarine

Q3. Name the district of Himachal Pradesh that has recently got approval to be its second capital.

(a) Shimla

(b) Solan

(c) Dharamshala

(d) Bilaspur

(e) Kullu

Q4. Angel Gurria is the present Secretary General of which of the following international organizations?

(a) IDA

(b) OECD

(c) WTO

(d) UNESCO

(e) ISI

Q5. Name the Indian University that has won the annual Visitor's Award for the 'Best University' 2017, recently.

(a) Jawaharlal Nehru University

(b) Banaras Hindu University

(c) University of Hyderabad

(d) King Georges Medical University

(e) University of Delhi

Q6.  Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) handed over three of its products namely Weapon Locating Radar (WLR), NBC Recce vehicle and NBC Drugs for induction into the Indian Army in a formal function. What is the name of Weapon Locating Radar (WLR)?

(a) DISHA

(b) NIRBHIK

(c) KIRAN

(d) MOHANTO

(e) SWATHI

Q7. Name the person, who has been appointed as the Chairman and Managing Director of state-run telecom major Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL), recently.

(a) J S Deepak

(b) Sandeep Jajodia

(c) Atul Tyagi

(d) P K Purwar

(e) Mohan Parawar

Q8. The Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) have recently signed a technology transfer agreement with which one of the following Indian Companies for manufacturing High Nitrogen Steel (HNS).

(a) Essar Steel

(b) Bhushan Steels Ltd.

(c) Jindal Stainless Ltd.

(d) SAIL

(e) TATA Steels

Q9. The Union Minister of Drinking Water and Sanitation Mr. Narendra Singh Tomar has recently launched 'Swachh Shakti Saptah' to raise awareness on sanitation and cleanliness. 'Swachh Shakti Saptah' was launched in ________________.

(a) Bengaluru, Karnataka

(b) Gurugram, Haryana

(c) Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala

(d) Guwahati, Assam

(e) Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

Q10. Government’s biotech innovation BIRAC Regional Entrepreneurship Centre was set up in Bengaluru, recently. What does 'A' stands for in BIRAC?

(a) Assistance

(b) Asset

(c) Account

(d) Automation

(e) Aeronautical

Q11. World Wildlife Day, 2017 was globally observed on ____________.

(a) 13th February

(b) 10th February

(c) 1st March

(d) 3rd March

(e) 8th February

Q12. Name the country that has recently celebrated 25 years of diplomatic ties with India.

(a) Kuwait

(b) Saudi Arab

(c) Israel

(d) Iran

(e) UAE

Q13. Who is the head of RBI committee to review cyber security?

(a) A K Pandey

(b) Meena Hemchandra

(c) Sumit Bose

(d) Deepak Mohanti

(e) B N Goldar

Q14. Neil Fingleton passed away recently. He was famous ____________.

(a) Basketball Player

(b) Politician

(c) Film Director

(d) Musician

(e) Poet

Q15. What was the theme of World Wildlife Day, 2017?

(a) Living together with wildlife

(b) Grow with flora and fauna

(c) Listen to the Young Voices

(d) Create a healthy habitat

(e) None of the above themes are correct

                                                            ANSWERS

S1. Ans.(b)

Sol. State-run gas company Gas Authority of India Ltd. (GAIL) has signed a time-swap deal with Swiss trader Gunvor to sell some of its US Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as the Indian firm tries to ease the burden of its costly foreign LNG supplies.

S2. Ans.(d)

Sol. The navy successfully test-fired an anti-ship missile for the first time from an indigenously built Kalvari class submarine. The launch was a significant milestone in enhancing its “sub-surface” warfare prowess. The weapon was fired from the submarine, the first of India’s six Scorpene-class submarines which are being built under the Project 75.

S3. Ans.(c)

Sol. The Himachal Pradesh cabinet approved the proposal to make Dharamshala as the second capital of the state. The decision was taken at the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh.

S4. Ans.(b)

Sol. José Ángel Gurría Treviño, also known as Ángel Gurría, is a Mexican economist and diplomat. He is the current secretary-general of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) since 1 June 2006.

S5. Ans.(a)

Sol. Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has won the annual Visitor's Award for the 'Best University', 2017. Deepak Pant from the Central University of Himachal Pradesh won the Visitor's Award for 'Innovation'.

S6. Ans.(e)

Sol. Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) handed over three of its products for induction into the Indian Army in a formal function. The products are namely- (i) Weapon Locating Radar (WLR), SWATHI (ii) NBC Recce vehicle (iii) NBC Drugs.

S7. Ans.(d)

Sol. P K Purwar was appointed as the Chairman and Managing Director of state-run telecom major Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL). The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved his appointment to the post for five years.

S8. Ans.(c)

Sol. The Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) have signed a technology transfer agreement with Jindal Stainless (Hisar) Ltd. (JSHL), for manufacturing High Nitrogen Steel (HNS). HNS has higher ballistic strength. It is not only tough but also has good strength.

S9. Ans.(b)

Sol. The Union Minister of Drinking Water and Sanitation Mr. Narendra Singh Tomar has launched 'Swachh Shakti Saptah' in Gurugram, Haryana to raise awareness on sanitation and cleanliness. Mr. Tomar has decided to observe 'Swachh Shakti Saptah' from March 1 to 8, 2017 across the country.

S10. Ans.(a)

Sol. The Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms – C-CAMP, technology, and innovation hub was set up to house the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) Regional Entrepreneurship Centre (BREC) in Bengaluru.

S11. Ans.(d)

Sol. On 20 December 2013, at its 68th session, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed 3 March, the day of signature of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), as UN World Wildlife Day to celebrate and raise awareness of the world’s wild animals and plants.

S12. Ans.(c)

Sol. India and Israel are planning to hold a series of events to celebrate 25 years of establishment of their diplomatic ties. India had established full diplomatic relationship with Israel in 1992 though it had recognized the country in 1950.

S13. Ans.(b)

Sol. The formation of the standing committee comes in the light of the recommendations of the Expert Panel on Information Technology and Cyber Security headed by Meena Hemchandra that was formed by the central bank.

S14. Ans.(a)

Sol. Neil Fingleton (18 December 1980 – 25 February 2017) was an English actor and basketball player. He was the tallest British-born man and the tallest man in the European Union at 7 ft 7.56 inches in height and among the 25 tallest men in the world.

S15. Ans.(c)
Sol. On 20 December 2013, at its 68th session, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed 3 March, the day of signature of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). World Wildlife Day will be celebrated in 2017 under the theme “Listen to the Young Voices.”

QUIZ-04

QUIZ-04

Q1. Who was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 62nd Filmfare Awards 2017?
Answer: Shatrughan Sinha

Q2. Name the Village, which has bagged the UNWTO award for Innovation in the category of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO), recently?
Answer: Govardhan eco-village

Q3. Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has decided to lower broker fees by 25 per cent to _______________ per transaction of one crore rupees as part of calibration of various other fees collected by the regulator from different market intermediaries.
Answer: 15 rupees

Q4. Tanzanian athlete Alphonce Felix Simbu (24) and Kenyan runner Bornes Kitur Chepkirui (31), flew past all competition to bag the top spots in the men's and women's category respectively in the full marathon at the _______ Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon (SCMM) in Mumbai 
Answer: 14th

Q5. Whic film has won the Best Film award at the 62nd Jio Filmfare Awards?
Answer: Dangal

Q6. In which state India's first laser technology-based advanced AVMS RTO is installed, recently?
Answer: Gujarat

Q7. World famous 11-day gala festival Bargarh Dhanua Jatra has been begun on 02nd January 2017 in which state?
Answer: Odisha

Q8. The Supreme Court has removed BCCI President _____________ from their posts.
Answer: Anurag Thakur

Q9. Senior citizens will now be assured what per cent interest on their deposits up to Rs 7.5 lakh which will remain the same for next 10 years?
Answer: 8 per cent

Q10. India has successfully test-fired its home-grown long range intercontinental ______________ nuclear capable ballistic missile Agni-IV from the Abdul Kalam Wheeler Island off Odisha coast.
Answer: surface-to-surface

Q10. Who has won The Hindu Prize 2016 at the 07th edition of The Hindu Lit for Life festival 2017 held in Chennai?
Answer: Kiran Doshi

Q11. In order to woo the young audiences at the 2020 Olympics, the organisers of the Tokyo Games have unveiled Japan's cult anime character ___________ as its ambassador. 
Answer: Son Goku

Q12. Name the person, who has selected to the 2017 Ophthalmology Hall of Fame instituted by the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery?
Answer: Gullapalli N Rao

Q13. Name the State, in which Oil Companies HPCL, ONGC and the GAIL have signed MoUs for investing Rs 1.65 lakh crore?
Answer: Andhra Pradesh

Q14. Which state government has signed a memorandum of agreement with French firm Aerocampus Aquitaine, known for aircraft maintenance skill training, to create a world-class aero skill academy recently?
Answer: Telangana

Q15. The government stated that ____________ banks are connected with the Aadhaar-enabled payment system and 33.87 crore transactions have taken place through Aadhaar-enabled payment systems.
Answer: 119

QUIZ-04

QUIZ-04

Q1. Name the renowned personality, who will headed the committee to identify athletes under Target Olympic Podium (TOP) Scheme?
Answer: Abhinav Bindra

Q2. President Pranab Mukherjee has given Governor of Assam __________________ additional charge of Meghalaya.
Answer: Banwarilal Purohit

Q3. IndiaPost has become the third entity to receive a final license from the Central Bank (RBI) to start its payment bank operations. Payments bank has initially been restricted to holding a maximum balance of how much amount per individual customer? 
Answer: Rs. 1,00,000 per individual customer

Q4. In Australian Open 2017 tennis, Serena Williams beat her sister Venus Williams in the final to win her _______ Grand Slam singles title.
Answer: 23rd

Q5. Which country has announced it will appoint a 'digital ambassador' to manage its relationship with technology giants like Google and Apple, becoming the first country to do so.
Answer: Denmark

Q6. India Post has become the third entity to receive a final license to start payments bank in India. The other two are-
Answer: Paytm and Bharti Airtel

Q7. The nation pays homage to Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi on his 69th death anniversary on 30th January 2017. He was assassinated on-
Answer: 30th January 1948

Q8. Which state has signed an MoU with Gokaldas Experts for setting up four apparel manufacturing units?
Answer: Andhra Pradesh

Q9. Iris Mittenaere has crowned Miss Universe 2016 at the Mall of Asia Arena. Iris Mittenaere belong to which country?
Answer: France

Q10. Who has won the Syed Modi International Grand Prix Gold after beating Indonesia's Gregoria Mariska in the final? 
Answer: P V Sindhu

Q11. The Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways and Shipping, Nitin Jairam Gadkari has inaugurated a 3-lane Brahmaputra Bridge at Saraighat in..............
Answer: Guwahati

Q12. Who has been appointed as the BCCI Chief by Supreme Court, recently?
Answer: Vinod Rai

Q13. Name the person, who starred in The Elephant Man and Harry Potter has passed away at his residence in Norfolk, London?
Answer: Sir John Hurt

Q14. Who has won the Kolkata Marathon as amateur runners from north Bengal and Northeast India dominated the first edition?
Answer: Abul Hossain

Q15. Future Generali India Insurance Company Ltd (FGIL) has entered into a corporate agency tie-up for its products with which bank?  
Answer: Bank of Maharashtra

Daily GK Update 04th March, 2017

Daily GK Update 04th March, 2017

Aadhaar number made mandatory for students to receive midday meals

i. Students will now be required to have an Aadhaar number for getting their midday meals across the country.The HRD ministry issued this notification. This rule will be applicable across the country, except Jammu and Kashmir, Meghalaya and Assam. 

ii. However, the ministry has given time till June 30, 2017 for those who are not yet enrolled. 

Ministry of Women & Child Development Observes Swachhta Pakhwada throughout India

i. The Ministry of Women & Child Development is observing the Swachhta Pakhwada from March 1, 2017 to March 15, 2017 to raise awareness about Swachh Bharat Abhiyan among women and children.

ii. The Swachhta Pakhwada is observed by various Ministries of Government of India to achieve the goal of universal sanitation, hygiene and ‘open defecation free’ India by 2019. During the course of the progamme, various activities would be conducted throughout the country through the wide network of Anganwadi Centres (AWCs).

100 districts in India Declared ODF under Swachh Bharat Mission

i. During occasion of 'Swachh Shakti Saptah' in Gurugram, Haryana. The Union Minister of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar has informed that the number of ODF (Open Defecation Free) districts in India has crossed 100, making it a milestone achievement under the Swachh Bharat Mission.

ii. Besides, over 1.7 lakh villages over the country has also become ODF. Shri O.P Dhankar, Haryana Minister for Development & Panchayats, and Agriculture declared that Haryana will become an ODF State by November 2017. 

India foreign exchange reserves increases to USD 362.79 billion

i. India's foreign exchange reserves increased by USD 63.7 million to USD 362.79 billion. A RBI press release has informed that foreign currency assets, a major part of the overall reserves increased from 63.4 million to USD 339.783 billion.

ii. In the previous week, the reserves had declined by USD 56.8 million to USD 362.73 billion. Gold reserves remained unchanged at 19.248 billion. 

Govt approves Rs 756 cr scheme to treat cataract patients

i. With an aim to free India from cataract by 2022, the government has approved a Rs 756 crore scheme to treat over 700 lakh such patients in the next five years.

ii. The scheme would render Rs 2,000 as financial assistance for each operation, including cost of lenses. In addition to it, a mobile application will be developed to bring the government, private doctors, clinics and NGOs together for monitoring the endeavor.

Yatra inks MoU with Madhya Pradesh govt to promote homestays

i. Online travel company Yatra.com has signed an agreement with Madhya Pradesh government to jointly promote homestays in the state.

ii. Under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Yatra will promote all the state tourism approved homestays, where travelers can book a room with a local family or the entire house.

Kerala’s Capital Thiruvananthapuram Ranks Best City in Urban Governance Survey

i. According to the fourth edition of the Annual Survey of India’s City-Systems 2016 by Bengaluru-based advocacy group Janaagraha Centre for Citizenship and Democracy, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala has been ranked as the top Indian city to manage urban governance. 

ii. Thiruvananthapuram which also ranked No. 1 in 2015 was evaluated against 21 major cities across 18 states of India. Thiruvananthapuram followed by Pune and Kolkata which are in second and third position, respectively.

iii. Delhi that has a population of about 18 million has been ranked at a distant 9, behind much smaller cities such as Bhopal and Kanpur.

NMCG Signs MoU with Rotary India for the Success of Namami Gange

i. In its effort to make Namami Gange program a mass movement with the involvement of more and more voluntary organizations, National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) under Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation signed an MoU with Rotary India in New Delhi. 

ii. Rotary India will support clean Ganga mission through their WASH in Schools program in various schools. 

SBI to charge for breaching monthly average balance in saving accounts

i. State Bank of India (SBI), India’s largest public lender, will resume charging customers who don’t maintain Monthly Account Average Balance (MAB) in their savings bank accounts from April 1, 2017.

ii. These charges will be based on the difference between the minimum balance required and the shortfall. 

iii. The minimum monthly balance for savings bank account holders in metropolitan areas is Rs 5,000. Similarly, in urban areas, SBI customers will need to maintain a monthly average balance of Rs 3000. In semi-urban areas, the amount is Rs 2,000, while for rural areas, the monthly average is Rs 1,000.

ET Money ties up with HDFC Life to launch data-led insurance policy

i. Long-term life insurance provider HDFC Life has launched an exclusive Data-Led Group Term Insurance Plan in partnership with personal finance app ET Money of Times Internet.
ii. This is the country's first term insurance plan which is based on the spending pattern of the users. ET Money Benefit, the group term life insurance plan can be exclusively availed by 1 million users of the ET MONEY app. 

World Wildlife Day: 3rd March

i. On 20 December 2013, at its 68th session, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed 3 March, as UN World Wildlife Day to celebrate and raise awareness of the world’s wild animals and plants.

ii. World Wildlife Day was celebrated in 2017 under the theme “Listen to the Young Voices”.

President of India presents ‘Standard’ to 125 Helicopter Squadron and ‘Colours’ to mechanical training institute of Indian Air Force

i. The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee presented the ‘Standard’ to 125 Helicopter Squadron and ‘Colours’ to Mechanical Training Institute of Indian Air Force at Air Force Station, Tambaram, Tamil Nadu.

ii. Mr. President complimented the 125 Helicopter Squadron and Mechanical Training Institute of Indian Air Force and stated that these units have a glorious past, embedded with rich heritage, stellar efforts and selfless service to the Nation. 

Pakistan diplomat Amjad Hussain B Sial assumes office as new Sec Gen of SAARC

i. South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) has named Amjad Hussain B Sial, as secretary general with immediate effect from March 1, 2017. 

ii. Mr.Sial from Pakistan succeeded Nepal’s Arjun Bahadur Thapa as the SAARC secretary general who was appointed the Secretary-General in 2014. 

13th ECO Summit ISLAMABAD

i. The Heads of State and Government of the Member States of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) gathered on the occasion of the 13th ECO Summit Meeting, in Islamabad, Pakistan under the theme “Connectivity for Regional Prosperity”  on the 1st March 2017.

ii. It aimed to review the objective conditions and progress in the implementation of ECO programs and projects. The headquarter of ECO is in Tehran, Iran.

INHS ASVINI Mumbai receives Raksha Mantri’s Trophy, named best service Hospital in the AFMS

i. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar presented the Raksha Mantri’s Trophy and Citation for the best Service Hospital in the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) for the year 2016 to INHS Asvini, Mumbai.

ii. The Command Hospital (Southern Command), Pune and Command Hospital (Northern Command) Udhampur have jointly adjudged the second best Service Hospitals.

Ukraine region to use Russian ruble as currency

i. Ukraine’s self-proclaimed Luhansk People’s Republic, state in eastern Ukraine, will use the Russian ruble as its official currency, along with the Ukrainian Hryvnia. 

ii. The Russian ruble is already being used in pro-Russian territory which serves to stabilize the volatile economic situation in the region. 

Rihanna Receives Harvard University's Humanitarian Award, 2017

i. Harvard named the 29-year-old singer Rihanna its Humanitarian of the Year, pointing to her projects that include an advanced center to treat breast cancer in her native Barbados and support for girls’ education around the developing world.

French football legend Raymond Kopa passes away

i. French football legend Raymond Kopa who won the European Cup three times with Real Madrid in the 1950s died in Paris after a long illness. He was 85.

ii. He was a central part of the French side beaten by Pele’s Brazil in a classic World Cup semi-final in 1958.

Bishnoi appointed international match referee

i. Former India wrestler Kripa Shankar Bishnoi has been appointed as an international match referee by United World Wrestling (UWW), the sport's global governing body. 

ii. Bishnoi was selected by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) for the annual training course for match referees conducted by the UWW.

Australian cricketer Sarah Coyte announces retirement

i. Australian women cricketer Sarah Coyte, who was also a part of Australia's 2014 World T20-winning squad, has announced her retirement from all forms of the game.

ii. Coyte's decision arrives a year after she stepped down from international duty with the Southern Stars to combat mental health issues.