Australia Reclaims No.1 in ICC Test rankings ICC

India on 24th February lost its No.1 position to Australia in ICC test rankings. Australia after defeating the Kiwi’s in Christchurch test match won the series                2-0 against New Zealand and also climbed the ladder in test rankings reaching the top.

Points to note

• Australia ended up at No.1 in ICC test rankings for this year with 112 points
• India are in 2nd position with just 2 points behind Aussies with 110 points
• Australia will receive a cash award of $ 1 million and India to get 5 lakh $ cash award
• Steve Smith will receive the cash on behalf of the team
• South Africa and Pakistan are in 3rd and 4th ranks respectively
• This is the eighth time Australia have ended up first in ICC test rankings since it was started in 2003
• They currently occupy position 1 in ICC ODI rankings

CGPDTM revised guidelines for Computer Related Inventions

The Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (CGPDT) has issued an order excluding software patents in its revised guidelines for Computer Related Inventions (CRIs).

Flash points

• The new order clearly mentions that, mere computer programmes those not in conjunction with a novel hardware will not be granted patent in India
• The new guidelines Follow CGPDT’s stay on the revised guidelines issued in August 2015 which have allowed the patenting of software
• Earlier, CGPDTM had agreed with a Parliamentary Panel which had observed thatcomputer programmes as such are not intended to be granted patent as perPatents Act, 1970
• The sub-section 3(k) of Act mentions that mathematical methods or business methods or computer programme or algorithms are not patentable.

Points to note

• CGPDTM is a nodal agency that supervises IPR rights in India
• It is under Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry
• O.P.Gupta-officer of CGPDTM

Government to Sell Its 5 % Stake in NTPC

Government has decided to divest 5% of its share that raised Rs. 5030 crore in NTPC through the Offer for Sale route as per the disinvestment plan of 2015-16.

• This will be the second biggest disinvestment after Indian Oil Corporation and sixth disinvestment in the fiscal that spread over two days.
• Government had offered 41.22 crore shares at a floor price of Rs. 122 per share that raised whooping 5, 030 crore and government remains major stakeholder of 69.96% in NTPC.
• Disinvestment Board has been fixed target of Rs. 69, 500 crore for2015-16 fiscal , It comes after the SEBI’s OFS Rules revision on disinvestment that allow the bidding for shares spread over two days.

Justice Dinesh Maheshwari sworn-in as Chief Justice of Meghalaya H

• Justice Dinesh Maheshwari will be the new Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court who succeeded Uma Nath Singh who retired on January 14.
• Sahnmuganathan State’s governor administrated the oath ceremony of the Chief Justice in Raj Bhavan.
• Dinesh Maheshwari graduated in law from Jodhpur University in 1980, earlier worked as Senior Judge of the Allahabad High Court‘s Lucknow Bench.

MEGHALAYA

• Capiatl: Shillong
• Chief Minister: MukulSangma
• Governor: V. Shanmuganathan

Rahul Taneja-the New Chief People Officer of Jet Airways

The 47 Year old, Rahul Taneja is appointed as the new Chief People Officer of Jet Airways India Ltd on Tuesday(February 23).He will be placed at the company’s Headquarters at Mumbai.

About Rahul Taneja

• He worked earlier with Essar Group as HR
• He has 25 Years of experience in various industrial sectors
• He has served as the HR of many National and International companies

Nissan welcomes cricket stars as new global ambassadors

Japanese Car maker Nissan announced a new line –up of cricket talent in partnership with the International cricket Council as Global Ambassadors.

• Indian Opener Rohit Sharma, West Indian All Rounder Andre Russell and New Zeland skipper Suzie Bates will help the Nissan to bring excitement among cricket fans, starting with ICC World T20 in India. South African Bowling maestro Dale steyn and bowler Rabada also work as ambassadors in their home country.
• In addition to advertising Campaign these ambassadors will be active on social media across the tournament emphasizing fan’s eye initiative Nissan Play of the Day and Sharing cricket content.
• The sponsorship deal with ICC includes all tournaments between 2016 and 2023 and the deal life of eight years.

Afghan cyclist team nominated for Nobel Peace prize

Afghanistan’s National Cyclist team has been nominated for Nobel Peace prize by members of Italian Parliament according to Total cycle team. They have been nominated for using bicycle as a vehicle for social justice, enduring violence and social stigma.

Points to know

• This cyclist team ended up first in Asian championship held at Delhi in 2013
• Afghan had a cycle team in 1986 and then due to Taliban rule it was prohibited in the nation and reborn in 2011 under the efforts of Abdul Sediq
• The team is led by Zahra Hussaini
• Around 118 members of Italian parliament voted for this team

Johnson & Johnson fined $72 million for baby powder

Johnson & Johnson to pay fine of $ 72 million in the case of ovarian cancer that cost a woman life who used a company’s talcum powder.

• Louis jury ordered the pharmacy company to pay $72 million to Jacqueline Salter Fox family, $ 10 million for actual damages and $ 62 million for punitive damages.
• About 1, 000 cases have been filed in Missouri court, also Jacqueline Fox used the talcum powder over 35 years and died at age of 62.
• Johnson company faces claims that it failed to create awareness that its Talc-based products could cause cancer.

FINO PayTech-Reliance tie-up to provide credit for Rural poor in MP

FINO Paytech has tied up with Reliance Commercial Finance to provide credit to rural areas of Maharastra and Madhya Pradesh.

• Loan is given through Joint Liability Group model
• It will provide credit for women for a tenure of 24 months for revenue generating activities
• A pilot project has been initiated in Vidharba of Maharashtra, Bhopal,Hardha, Khandwa,Vidhisha, Khargone in MP.

Points to note

• Vipr Bhardwaj-Executive Vice president and head of FINO Paytech
• Srinivasan –CEO of Reliance Commercial Finance

SBI launches new branch for e-commerce loans

Country’s largest lender launches SBI ESmart SME to offer E-Commerce startups, this is the first of its kind.

• The Bank has decided to cater exclusively to offer loans to E commerce startups and will have dedicated branch, also joined hands with E commerce majorSnapdeal.
• With this sellers can apply loan on the E commerce platform as well as exclusive branches where it will be sanctioned instantly.
• This product uses proprietary data and surrogates information from Public Domain to access the Creditworthiness for the loan approval.

Features:

• Quick Sanction with KYC documents.
• Collateral free loan up to Rs. 10 Lakhs under MUDRA
• Processing fee of 0.399%
• Women Entrepreneurs will have concession of 25%.

Cabinet approves $150 million for Chabahar port in Iran

The cabinet approved $150 million for development of Chabahar port in Republic of Iran which will facilitate trade route to Afghanistan bypassing Pakistan.

• The MoU was signed between India and Tehran last May to develop Chabahar port on South-eastern coast
• It will facilitate a trade route to nearby nations especially Afghanistan
• It will help India compete with China which has invested heavily in Gwadar port in Pakistan

India-UK agreement for collaboration of Crop Sciences

The Department of bio-technology of Ministry of Science & Technology and UK’s top research institute signed a MoU for collaboration for research on Crop Sciences.

• The agreement was signed by Professor K. VijayRaghavan, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Cambridge University Vice Chancellor Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz
• Aim-Collaborative Research, exchange of Knowledge, support capacity building for resilience in Food security
• Focus areas- Drought resistance, Disease resistance, yield enhancement and crop re-breeding
• Establishment of Indo-UK plant science centre in India

Avoidance of Double taxation income by agreement between India and Maldives

PM- Narendra Modi and his cabinet approved the agreement which will avoid double taxation for International airline enterprises in Maldives and India.

Main features

• Tax can be paid on the profits earned out of operation of aircrafts only in the countrywhere the enterprise belongs to
• It provides for relief from double taxation for airline enterprises of both the countries way of exemption of income derived by the enterprise of India from the operation of aircraft in international traffic, from Maldivian tax and vice-versa.
• It provides tax certainty
• Mutual agreement procedure to solve issues

Cabinet nod to Atal Innovation Mission

Atal Innovation Mission and Self Employment Talent Utilization are being set up National Institution for Transforming India and will have Headquarter in New Delhi.

AIM of the Mission: An innovation Promotion Platform that involves Academics, Entrepreneurs, and Researchers possessing national and international Experiences to foster a Culture of Innovation, R&D in India.

• Decision has been taken by Union cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narandra Modi and the Mission would be guided by Mission High Level Committee.
• AIM and SETU under NITI to come up with Rs 500 Crore and Rs. 1, 000 crorerespectively as stated in Budget Speech 2015- 2016 by finance minister.
• NITI Aayog established an Export Committee on Innovation and Entrepreneurship to work out detailed forms of AIM and SETU by the chairmanship of Tarun Khanna Professor at Harvard University.

Points to Remember about NITI:

• Chairperson: Narendra Modi
• CEO: Amitabh Kant
• Vice Chairperson: Arvind Panagariya

PMKVY Funds for Punjab

NDA government’s Flagship Scheme Pradhan MandhiriKushalVikasYojana in complementary to the Prime Minister Make in India Campaign to envisage the skilled labour to the Nation.

• It was launched on 15th July 2015, that provides training to the Youths and in the completion of the training they will certified and monetary award through Direct Benefit transfer (DBT).
• The Scheme implemented through Public Private Partnership (PPP) model byNational Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and all the 29 States and 6 Union Territories will come under the ambit of the scheme.
• Punjab being one the Beneficiary state that enrolled 45, 544 candidates of which31, 221 of them trained and 1, 205 Candidates have got employment.
• Under the scheme 7, 174 candidates of Punjab has awarded whooping monetary award of 6, 54, 62,500 – through DBT.

PUNJAB

• Capital: Chandigarh
• Chief Minister:  Prakash Singh Badal
• Governor: Kaptan Singh Solanki

Central Excise Day Central Excise Day

The Day is commemorated on February 24, to recognize the Contribution of Central Board of Excise and Custom. The nodal Agency is responsible for administration in relation with Customs, Central Excise, Service Tax and Narcotics.

• The event of celebration means to collect tax over the manufacturing goods by and people earning over the limit that decided according to the Central Excise Act 1944.
• The Revenue collected through the central Excise department is used forEducation, Health, and Social sector.
• The Central Board of Excise and customs runs under Finance ministry led by Mr. Arun Jaitly.
• On behalf of the professional holiday seminar, workshops, educational and Cultural events, Awareness Programs and employees with good track record will be awarded to them by the government.

Rare Falcated Duck sighted in Goa

Birders in Goa sighted rare Falcated Duck in Goa which will add the verity in Goa’s Bird list.

• Earlier the Bird was sighted twice in South India, They were a regular winter migrant to northern states of India.
• Falcated Ducks breeds in Eastern Asia, Russia and north china in summers and usual migrants to India and rarely spotted in Southern part of the country.

Falcated Duck

• Falcated Duck is a gadwall sized dabbling Duck. These Ducks requires coastal wetlands for its survival.
• It is classified as threatened on the animal red list of International union for the conservation of Nature.

Honda removes India CEO Katsushi Inoue after one year

Japanese Car major Honda India removes CEO Katsushi Inoue from office one year his induction into the company.

• This move come after the Company had cited non satisfactory performance of the recent products from the company’s new models like Mobilio and Brio.
• With this Katsushi Inoue who moves to the European region as COO, Yoichiro Ueno will replace the former CEO April 1 of this year.
• Company Heads usually termed to three year assignment to understand the country’s dynamics in addition to expansion and growth strategy.

Infosys names Michael Pesch as CEO of consulting business arm

India second Largest Software Company has appointed as the new head of its consulting business Infosys Consulting Holding (formally Infosys Lodestone) with the effect from April 1 2016.

• Prior to his appointment Pesch served as a CEO of Germany based arvato Systems, he will be responsible for Infosys Consulting in Europe Latin America and Asia Pacific Region and will report to Sanjay Purohit – Global Head of Consulting Business of the company.
• He will also work for DACH Countries (Germany, Austria and Switzerland) as a Regional Head.

Infosys

• Founded: 1981
• Headquarters: Bangalore
• CEO  & MD: Vishal Sikka

K.N.Vyas –The New Director of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre

Shri.K.N.Vyas, Eminent Scientist and Associate Director, Reactor Projects Group of BARC on February 23rd took over as the Director of BARC from Dr.Shekar Basu.

• N.Vyas joined the 22nd batch of BARC training school  and has 36 years of experience in design and analysis of nuclear reactor fuel
• He also has worked in various thermal hydraulic projects and has wide experience in stressed analysis of critical reactor core components
• He has also been a part of Test Blanket Module to be installed in ITER, France

Awards received: Indian Nuclear Society Outstanding Service Award in 2011, Homi Bhabha Science and Technology award in 2006 and DAE awards in 2007, 2008, 2012 & 2013

Mortaza set to be the UNDP Goodwill Ambassador Mortaza set to be the UNDP Goodwill Ambassador

The United Nations Development Programme on Thursday announced Mashrafe Bin Mortaza as its National goodwill ambassador for Youth in Bangladesh.

• Mortaza is presently the ODI and T20 skipper of Bangladesh
• UNDP was formed in 1965
• Headquarters of UNDP-Newyork
• Bangladesh capital– Dhaka

GVK Bio Bags Global CSR Award

GVK Biosciences has been conferred with the Global CSR Excellence & leadership Award by world CSR Congress on World CSR Day. The award was given under the category of Best Environmental Friendly Projects for its Go green Grow Green planting activity.

• CSR award is given for the Best Corporate Social Responsibility Project under various categories every year by World CSR Congress
• GVK Biosciences started a mega plantation program ‘ Go green Grow Green’ in June 2015 to plant 1400 samplings of Peltophorum ferrugunium, Pongamia pinnata and Azadirachta indica in and around their campus

Points to note

• GVK Bioscience is Asia’s leading Drug Discovery Research and Development Organization.
• Its headquarters is at Hyderabad

Google is shutting down Google Compare

Search Giant Google is winding down operations of unfamiliar tool called Compareand will terminate the services by March 23 from U.S and UK services.

• Google compare is a website launched in March 2015 that allows handlers to compare offers for Car insurance, credit Cards and mortgages currently available in the UK and the US.
• However Google ‘s parent company Alphabet has been running its compare platform for three years in The UK and started in the US last march.

GOOGLE:   

• CEO: SundarPichai
• Founded: 1998
• Headquarters: Califorrnia

HUDCO to Sanction 90 Crores for APCRDA

In a written reply to Smt. Kothapalli Geetha, the Minister of State for Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation –Mr. Babul Supriyo informed in LokSabha that HUDCO (Housing and Urban Development Corporation) have sanctioned 90Crores to APCRDA.

• The loan was sanctioned To Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority(APCRDA) last month
• The minister also told that 64,942 houses were built for urban poor in Andhra Pradesh under JNNURM and Rajiv Awas Yojana.
• A total of 80,999 houses were sanctioned under Prime minister Awas Yojana in June last year
• These houses are asked to be completed before 3.17 by the ministry

India to host 3rd Asian Ministerial Conference on Tiger Conservation

As a move to conserve the tiger population the 3rd Asian Ministerial conference is set to begin on April 12 in India. The conference is inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

• 13 Nations will participate in this conference which includes Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, India, Lao-PDR, Myanmar, Malaysia, Nepal, Russia, Thailand and Vietnam.
• It aims at promoting awareness about tiger conservation in Asia and around the world
• Countries will share their knowledge about tiger conservation and exchange ideas
• India having around 70% of tiger population will be the pivotal country
• The tiger population has improved from 1912 to 2226 in India in last few years

Assam Cabinet approved Metro Rail for Guwahati

Assam Cabinet approved Mass Rapid Transit System and given green signal to Detailed Project Report of Guwahati Metro Rail Corporation Limited.

• The 203 Km Metro Corridor will be completed in three phases, The Whooping18,020 crore project’s detailed project Report with 4 lines adding 61.4 Km in the first Phase of the project prepared by RITES Ltd.
• Phase I of the Project consists of 4 Lines with 54 Stations and all the trains will come up with 3 coach structure that has the capacity of carrying 975 passengers each
• The Project total cost would be shared by center and state government by 20% each and local bodies to contribute Rs. 350 Crore , while the remaining Rs. 10,074 crore will be funded through soft loans from funding agencies guaranteed by the Center.
• The Chief Minister of Assam Tarun Gogoi will lay the foundation of the project on February 29 in Kahnapara where a station will come up to serve as node between the Line 2 and Line 3.

Assam

• Capital: Dispur

Srei ram to invest 2000 crores for Indian Vision Fund

Srei ram will invest 2000 crores for India Vision Fund which will buy the stressed assets, loans & properties of corporate, NBFC’S and companies which can be revived through proper plans.

• The fund will invest in debt cum mezzanine instruments thereby providing investors an opportunity to gain on their investments
• Both national and international investors are likely to invest
• Srei Ram CIO- Nalin kumar

EU grants ‘special status’ to UK

David Cameron led United Kingdom has been granted “Special Status” in the 28 Nation union. The UK Leader pledged to campaign heart and soul to stay in EU.

• This move comes after two days negotiation that made Britain an explicit exemption from the foundational goal that “Ever Closer Union”. And this decision has been taken unanimously.
• Cameron Will make official announcement in this regard, however he said the poll is expected to cast on June 23 this year.
• The summit held in Brussels with his EU counterparts to discuss varies issues pertaining with migrant movement.

United Kingdom

• Capital: London
• Currency:  Pound Sterling
• Prime Minister:  David Cameron

India Extends $1 Million Assistance to Cyclone-Hit Fiji

India to extend $1 million in immediate assistance to the Island Nation Fiji after Devasting cyclone Winston hits.

• Winston cyclone severely affecting the island with it wind gusts of 325 Kmph and 12 m height waves that severely causes lives as well as financial damage to the country.
• India pledged to support in the rehabilitation and rebuilding of the Fiji.

FIJI

• Capital: Suva
• Currency: Fijian Dollar

Pakistan parliament became the first to run entirely on solar power

On Tuesday (February 23), Pakistan parliament became the first of its kind to run entirely on solar power. It was inaugurated by Pakistan Prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

• The project was funded by china which costs about $55 million
• It was initiated by Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit in 2014
• It is another symbol of Pakistan-China friendship Sharif remarked.
• Pakistan capital- Islamabad

US and Russia enter into a New deal to stop Bloodshed in Syria

Syria which has been continuously under coverage because of its internal warfare and outraged terrorist activities is again in flashlight following an agreement by US and Russia to ceasefire in Syria. This New deal came as a joint statement from US and Russia. However this ceasefire excludes Islamic state, al-Nusra Front and the other deemed terrorist groups.

Present scenario

• The Syrian army is now backed by Moscow, Iran and fighters from Lebanon’s Hezbollah. Ranged against them are rebels supported by the United States, Turkey and Saudi Arabia

42nd Khajuraho Dance Festival Begins In MP

The 42nd Khajuraho Dance Festival begun in  Khajuraho, Chhatrapur District in Madhya Pradesh

• The famous festival to showcases verities of classical Dances including Kathak, Bharatanatyam,Oddissi, and Kuchipudi giving a picture of the ancient tales like Mahishsur Mardini and Krishna Rasa the auspicious showcase is organized by Department of Culture, Madhya Pradesh.
• The festival is celebrated on the framework of Khajuraho Temple build byChandela Dynasty between 950 and 1050 AD.
• The Performances includes Classical dances, Documentaries, Short Films related to fine Arts and it will be held in front of the temples dedicated to Surya (The lord Sun) at ChitraguptaTemple and Lord Shiva at Vishwanatha Temple.
• The Khajuraho Temple is a group of Hindu and Jain Temples in Madhya Pradesh. They are one of the UNESCO World heritage Sites in India.

Committee formed in Nashik to Rejuvenate Godavari

A Few environment activists under the leadership of Deepak Naik– chairperson of Maharashtra state Economic development council have formed a committee in Nashik to revive Godavari.

• The committee includes Rekha Somalia, Deepak Naik , environment activists and experts
• Naik who has rejuvenated nearly 78 rivers strongly believes that there is a lot of potential to revive Godavari
• Activists also plan to encourage eco tourism, bird tourism and agro tourism compared to boat club and seaplane

Atal Pension Yojana eligible for same tax benefits as National Pension System

Atal Pension Yojana which replaced the National Pension System now will be eligible for the tax benefits as it was provided for National Pension System.

• The Tax benefits comes with additional deduction of Rs. 50,000 introduced in the last year budget.
• Since the launch in June 2015 the Scheme It has gained 20 Lakh beneficiaries which is open to Indians aged between 18 and 40 and minimum tenure of 20 years.
• The key feature of the scheme is the government will contribute 50% for a period of five years to the subscribers who joins before 31 March 2016.Tax payers will not come in the ambit of the scheme.

‘Exercise IBSAMAR’ between India, SA, Brazil begins

“IBSAMAR” is a joint naval exercise between India, Brazil and South Africa, this will be the fifth edition of the Harbor Phase of the Exercise to commence from Goa Coast. This is done in two phases namely Harbor phase and Sea Phase.

AIM:  To increase the interoperability among three navies as well as common understanding maritime security between the navies.

• This is the first time the Exercise is held in India all the previous editions of the joint Exercise hosted in South Africa initiated in 2006.
• The scope of IBSAMAR-V includes range professional interactions during harbor phase and diverse range operational activities during Sea Phase.
• In the course of the Exercise Indian navy represented by INS Mumbai an Indigenous designed and built guided missile destroyer INS trishul- A Stealth Frigate and INS –Shalki, A Shisuhumar class submarine.

South Africa

• Capitals: Pretoria, Cape Down, Bloemfontein
• Currency: South African rand

Brazil

• Capital: Brasilia
• Currency: Brazilian real

Empowered Group of State Transport Ministers formed to suggest measures on transport sector

Union Ministry of Road and Transport and Highways led by Mr. NitinGadkari announced the Empowered Group of State Transport ministers Headed by Rajasthan Transport Minister Yunus Khan formed to suggest measures on ailing transport sector.

AIM: To Advice on policy issues to make the Country’s transport sector modern efficient and transparent manner, and pledged to strengthen the sector.

• To sort out accidents and traffic jams there is a need for technology that uses Satellite it similar to Air traffic Control and river Traffic Control
• He also stated 5 lakhs accidents that accounts about 1.5 lakh lives and pledged to reduce 50% of them by next five years.
• The Minister also stressed the need E –Tolling in all toll plazas in the country which will make hassle free toll collection that considerably reduces the Vehicle Traffic and Pollution significantly.

Kasaragod district of Kerala declared as “Zero Landless District”

Kasaragod district of Kerala has been declared as the second zero landless district, after Kannur.

• It was announced during the “title deed mela” by the Kerala’s home ministerRamesh Chennithala. The event was presided by state’s revenue minister Adoor Prakash.
• 30,900 plots have been identified for zero landless scheme in Kasargod District.
• As a part of project, 73 acres of land in Kasaragod taluk and 971.10 acreshave been made available in Hosdurg taluk.

FC Dnipro Reserves clinched the 2016 Nagjee International Club Football Tournament

The 36th edition of the Sait Nagjee Football Tournament was held at Kozhikode, Kerala. FC Dnipro Reserves of Ukraine had grabbed the tournament’s trophy by defeating Atletico Paranaense Reserves of Brazil.

• The 15 days event of 2016 was the first edition of this tournament after 1995.
• The event was organised by the Kozhikode District Football Association (KDFA)with the support of Siddeek Ahmed, President KDFA.
• The Sait Nagjee Trophy was in partnership with UK based charitable organizationFootball for Peace (FfP).

India overtakes China in Pollution level

Greenpeace analysis data taken by NASA satellites alarmed that the average particulate matters of population have increased in India overtaking China for the first time in 21stcentury.

• As per a WHO report out of the 20 most polluted cities 13 lies in India especially North India
• In 2005, the particulate matter pollution in India was very less than eastern china but with robust measures to curb pollution China has reduced its pollution level from 2013
• India has only 39 NAQI stations as compared to 1500 such stations in China
• Only by implementing strict rules and more stations to measure particulate matters in air pollution can be brought down
• Bharat VI mission is likely to be implemented by April,2020

Justice Vineet Saran appointed as Chief Justice of Orissa High Court

Justice Vineet Saran has been appointed as Chief Justice of Orissa High Court by the President of India Pranab Mukherjee .The new Chief justice will take oath on February 26.

• Vineet was officiating as a senior judge of Karnataka High Court prior to his new appointment, the post was lying vacant since 15 February after the serving Judge D H Waghela took charge of Chief Justice of Bombay.
• Pradeep K Mohanty is currently working as acting chief justice of Orissa High court.
• Justice Vineet saran graduated from Allahabad University in 1976 and obtained L.L.B in 1979.

Udai Kumar appointed as the fulltime MD & CEO of MSEI

The Metropolitan Securities Exchange of India Limited appointed Udai Kumar as its MD & CEO on a permanent basis after the approval came from SEBI.

• He was the MD & CEO of MSEI on a interim basis since 12,October 2015
• Saurabh sarkar who was the former MD & CEO quit in October following a fall in the market share in the currency derivatives segment

Facts to be known

• MSEI formerly known as MCX is the youngest stock exchange of the country founded in 2008
• It was renamed as MSEI in 2014 and has its headquarters at Mumbai

Ri Myong Su Appointed As New Military Chief Of North Korea

Ri Myong Su has been appointed to head the Korean People’s Army general staff after his predecessor Ri Yong –gil exclusion from the post, rumors circulated that he has been executed.

• State run Korean Central News Agency(KCNA) have made no announcement prior to his appointment, however he has been spotted Military maneuvers  that led by the Supreme Leader Kim Jong –un
• Ri Myong su is an experienced hand in North Korean politics. He was an advisor to the former Leader Kim Jong-il and the head of the Ministry for People’s Security.He has started his career in 1950 during the Korean War.
• North Korea conducted its fourth nuclear test last month and launched a long-range rocket earlier of this month.

NORTH KOREA:

• Supreme Leader: Kim Jong Un
• Capital: Pyongyang
• Currency: North Korean won

Ricoh India to supply Hardware in Odisha Schools

Ricoh India, a subsidiary of Ricoh group, Japan has got an order worth Rs.344 Croresfrom Kerala State Electronics Development Corporation to supply hardware for Government schools in Odisha.

• The project involves supply,installation of hardware, connected accessories, software and its maintenance
• 2000 government aided high schools of Odisha are to be benefited out of this under the ICT@ school scheme

Other facts

• Ricoh India expects 55% revenue growth this year
• It has planned to invest 300 crores in development of its Data centers
• Presently it has two data centers in New Delhi and Kolkata

India-The Major importer of Arms in the world

A Report released by the SIPIR (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute) clearly places India in the topmost position of Arms import in the world between 2011-2015. India’s imports account for 14% of the world’s total imports.

Flashpoints

• India is followed by China in the row making it as the second largest importer with7% and then Australia (3.6%), Pakistan (3.3%), Vietnam (2.9%) and South Korea (2.6%)
• India’s imports have been increased by 90%in the year 2011-15 compared to 2006-10
• India’s imports is thrice as that of China and Pakistan