KRISHNA MOHAN

Wednesday 15 February 2017

Q1. Union Cabinet recently approved PMGDISHA scheme which will cover 6 crore rural households to make them-

(a) digitally literate

(b) professionally trained

(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

(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

(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

(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

(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

(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

(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

(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

(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

(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

(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

(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

(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

(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

(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

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.

Quiz-14

Q1. 350th birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh named as Prakash Utsav or Prakash Parv has been celebrated across the country on 05th January 2017. Name the city, which is the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Sikh Guru.
Answer: Patna, Bihar

Q2. Nine-member government panel formed to make recommendations for bringing out a comprehensive National Sports Development Code across all disciplines. This committee headed by................?
Answer: Injeti Srinivas

Q3. Mobile commerce and payments company Paytm has got the final permission to open a payments bank by Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Payments bank will initially be restricted to holding a maximum balance of how much amount per individual customer?
Answer: Rs 100,000 per individual customer

Q4. Name the Contactless Credit Card, which has been launched by PNB, recently?
Answer: PNB-Wave

Q5. Arthur Robert Morris has became 82nd player inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame, recently. Arthur Robert Morris was a/an_____________ cricketer who played 46 Test matches between 1946 and 1955.
Answer: Australian

Q6. Who has been appointed as the Chairman of Tata Power after the resignation of Cyrus Mistry?
Answer: S Padmanabhan

Q7. IBM has appointed _____________ as Managing Director of IBM India Pvt Ltd, succeeding Vanitha Narayanan who has been appointed as chairman of the Indian subsidiary.
Answer: Karan Bajwa

Q8. Renowned _______________ Abdul Halim Jaffer Khan died due to cardiac arrest.
Answer: Om Puri

Q9. Vice President Hamid Ansari has released a book titled 'The People's President: Dr APJ Abdul Kalam'. Who is the author of this book (The People's President: Dr APJ Abdul Kalam')?
Answer: SM Khan

Q10. Who has been appointed as the Britain’s new ambassador to the European Union (EU) recently?
Answer: Sir Tim Barrow

Q11. 09-day New Delhi World Book Fair begins in Pragati Maidan. The theme for this year's event is __________ which will focus on writings on and by women.
Answer: Manushi

Q12. India’s per capita income, a gauge for measuring living standard, is estimated to cross Rs 1 lakh in 2016-17, up from Rs 93,293 in the previous fiscal (2016-16). Which organisation has released the India’s per capita income?
Answer: Central Statistics Office (CSO)

Q13. The Budget session of Parliament convened to start from January 31 2017, a day before the Union Budget is likely to be presented. Who is present Union Finance Minister of India?
Answer: Arun Jaitley

Q14. Name the country, which is setting up the world's highest altitude gravitational wave telescopes in a Tibet prefecture close to Line of Actual Control with India with a budget of $18.8 million to detect faintest echoes resonating from the universe which may reveal more about the Big Bang theory.
Answer: China

Q15. Droom has tied up with ____________ India’s third-largest private sector bank, to provide quick sanction of loans on both new as well as used cars.
Answer: Axis Bank

Monday 13 February 2017

Daily GK Update 13th February, 2017

PM Narendra Modi extends greetings on World Radio Day 2017

i. Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his greetings on the World Radio Day on 13 February 2017. Terming radio as “a wonderful way to interact, learn & communicate”, the PM stated. The theme for the 2017 edition of World Radio Day is 'Radio is You'.

ii. World Radio Day is observed every year on February 13 to celebrate radio as a forum for entertainment and information, as a bridge of communication for remote communities and its role in empowering people.

iii. In 2011, the Unesco General Conference had proclaimed February 13 as World Radio Day, the day United Nations Radio was established in 1946. Radio is the most prevalent mass medium, with the ability to reach up to 95 percent of the world’s population.

National Women’s Parliament begins in Andhra Pradesh

i. The three-day National Women’s Parliament, being organised by Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly with the theme of ‘Empowering Women - Strengthening Democracy’, began in the state capital region Amaravati.

ii. The vision of NWP is to enable and encourage social, political and economic empowerment of women in all strata of the society.

iii. One of the objectives of NWP is to generate new ideas, concepts, theories and ideologies for women empowerment.An ‘International Woman Icon of the World’ award and 12 best young achievers awards for women in different fields will be presented at the NWP.

MRPL launches skill development centre

i. Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) launched a skill development centre (Kaushal Vikas Kendra) in Mangaluru. Speaking at the alunch programme, H Kumar, Managing Director of MRPL stated that the centre will train 60 youths in areas such as ‘industrial electrician’ and ‘CNC operator-turning’.

ii. He also stated that all expenses, including food, lodging, tutorial expenses, will be borne by MRPL Kaushal Vikas Kendra. MRPL has got the approval to launch a start-up fund of ₹10 crore, which will be used to support the new ventures and start-ups.

iii. At another function, Nalin Kumar Kateel, MP from Dakshina Kannada, launched the smoke-free village campaign of MRPL. As a part of oil and gas conservation month, MRPL has identified villages under four panchayats in its surroundings to make them smoke-free.

iv. Under this campaign, families in the below poverty level category are identified and given free LPG kits and gas stoves. MRPL will bear the cost of the gas kit and the gas stove provided to these beneficiaries. In the first phase, the company distributed free LPG kits to nearly 200 families from Soorinje and Chelaru village panchayats.

Second edition of International Spice Conference Begins at Thiruvanantapuram

i. The second edition of the International Spice Conference began at Kovalam in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala from February 12, 2017.

ii. The three days conference has been hosted by All India Spices Exporters Forum (AISEF) in association with the Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The conference was inaugurated by the Nestle India Limited Chairman and Managing director Suresh Narayanan.

iii. The theme of the conference is '21st Century Spic Industry-Disrupt or be Disrupted' the main aim of the event is to deliberate on effective strategies and innovative technologies to improve the livelihood of spice farmers, address spice industry challenges, food safety concern, demand supply disparity and foster sustainable growth.

Government Approves Setting Rs. 6,831 crore Electronics Development Fund

i. The centre has approved setting up the Electronic Development Fund Tele communication Ministerwith a total corpus of Rs. 6,831 crore to support entrepreneurship and innovation in electronics and IT.

ii. The Minister of Law and IT, Ravi Shankar Prasad approved a seed capital of Rs 681 crore on the basis of which more venture capital will be raised.The Electronic Development Fund will help to contribute to various other funds under it forthose who invest the money in companies for creation of intellectual property rights in the field of electronics and IT.

FSSAI sets up panel to finalise laws on food fortification

i. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has set up a 11 member scientific panel to frame final regulations on fortification of foods and prepare strategies to address malnutrition problem.

ii. Fortification means deliberately adding or increasing the content of essential micro nutrients in food items to improve quality.The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has already issued the draft guidelines on fortification for five food items including salt, milk, wheat flour, rice and edible oil to boost production and consumption of fortified foods.

Sandeep Jajodia appointed Assocham president

i. Monnet Ispat & Energy Ltd. CMD Sandeep Jajodia has been appointed the new president of industry chamber Assocham. Balkrishan Goenka, Chairman, Welspun Group and Kiran Kumar Grandhi, vice-chairman of GMR Infrastructure Ltd, have taken over as senior vice-president and vice-president respectively.

ii. Assocham will continue to play a transformational role both nationally and globally and the chamber will empower Indian enterprises by focusing on the most critical and relevant issues in a highly impact-oriented manner stated Jajodia who took over from Sunil Kanoria former President of ASSOCHAM

Narinder Chauhan appointed as Ambassador of India to the Republic of Philippines

i. Former IFS officer Narinder Chauhan has been appointed as the next Ambassador of lndia to the Republic of the Philippines .

ii. Currently Narinder is working as the Ambassador of lndia to the Republic of Serbia.

Diego Maradona Gets Ambassador Role at FIFA.

i. The FIFA governing body has named Argentina’s former soccer player Diego Maradona as the new Ambassador of the FIFA .The 56 year old will have major role in FIFA’s activities to promote the game across the globe and will also be be involved in relevant development projects.

ii. The Fédération Internationale de Football Association is the international governing body of association football, futsal, and beach soccer. President is Gianni Infantino and Headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland

Yo-Yo Ma and his ensemble win Best World Music Grammy

i. Cello virtuoso Yo-Yo Ma won a Grammy with his Silk Road Ensemble for Sing Me Home, an exploration of the musical connections across Eurasia.

ii. The French-born Chinese American cellist had previously won an impressive 17 Grammys, but his latest is his first for Best World Music Album.

iii. Ma set up The Silk Road Ensemble to bring together musicians from the historic route that connected the Middle East and Asia, in hopes both of finding artistic commonalities and furthering the cause of intercultural understanding.

BAFTA 2017: La La Land takes 5 trophies, Dev Patel wins for Lion

i. Director Damien Chazelle’s musical 'La La Land' continued its award dominance by taking five trophies, including the best film and best actress for Emma Stone, at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) awards , which also recognised British-Indian star Dev Patel in the best supporting actor category for 'Lion'.

ii. 'La La Land', which also won Chazelle a best director Bafta, is expected to sustain its momentum at the Oscars on February 26 where it has scored a record 14 nominations.

Eminent journalist and Laughter Persona Pandit Dharmsheel Chaturvedi Dies

i. The eminent thinker, writer and journalist Pandit Dharmsheel Chaturvedi passed away.

ii. The Hindi Kavi Pt. Dharmsheel Chaturvedi was considered ‘Swayam Mein Benaras’ means ‘Banaras in Himslef’ in elite circle.

Jiro Taniguchi, a Japanese manga legend Dies at 69

i. Jiro Taniguchi, a Japanese manga writer died in Tokyo on February 11, 2017. He was 69.

Taniguchi began his career as an assistant to the artist Kyota Ishikawa.

ii. His own first piece of manga was published in the year 1970 named 'A Desiccated Summer'.

iii. Taniguchi first shot to fame in Japan at the end of the 1980s with the first volume of 'The Times of Botchan'

Ravichandran Ashwin Becomes Fastest Bowler To Claim 250 Wickets

i. Indian off-spin specialist Ravichandran Ashwin became the fastest cricketer to take 250 wickets in Test matches.

ii. He achieved this feat in his 45th test match against Bangladesh on 12 February 2017, when he dismissed captain of Bangladesh team Mushfiqur Rahim at the Rajiv Gandhi International stadium in Hyderabad.

iii. Ashwin surpassed Australian fast bowler Dennis Keith Lillee, who played 48 matches to reach the milestone of 250 Test wicket.

NBA & Take Two to Launch NBA 2K E-League

i. The National Basketball Association (NBA), an American professional basketball league is creating a brand new e-sports league called NBA 2K e-League in partnership with Take-Two Interactive Software Inc., the developers of the popular NBA 2K video games.

ii. This is the first time that a professional sports organization will operate an e-sports league. The competitive gaming league will be launched in 2018.

KRISHNA MOHAN

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Wednesday 15 February 2017

INDIAN NEWS MATE

Quiz-15

Quiz-15