World Day of Social Justice

World Day of Social Justice is annually observed on February 20 every year from the proclamation of the day United Nations since February 20, 2007.

• Social Justice a key principle for peaceful and prosperous relationships among member countries
• Many events organized on behalf of this day UN Nations member countries emphasizing poverty eradication and the promotion of full employment, Decent work and gender equality.

Theme: A Just transition –environmentally sustainable economies and societies.

My Biography Is Honest And Transparent

“Anything but Kamosh: The biography of Shatrughan Sinha” was released on 20^th February .On this release day the actor cum politician Shatrughan Sinha told that his biography was more honest and transparent as it has the criticisms left unedited Points to note :

• It is a 338page book
• It is a 7 year research work consisting of 37 interviews, 200 taped conversations from family members

Harper Lee ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ author, dead at 89 Harper Lee 'To Kill a Mockingbird' author, dead at 89

Harper Lee American novelist whose first novel ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ passed away at 89. She had survived by her nephew when she passed away

• The Novel To Kill a Mockingbird about a racial injustice sold more than 40 million copies and became one of the most beloved and most taught works of fiction ever written by the American
• Later in 1960 she had won Pulitzer Prize for the Fiction .the Film version of the novel released in 1962 which gained massive popularity.

About Pulitzer Prize:

• Recognized Fields: Newspaper and online journalism, literature, and musical composition
• Presented By: Colombia University – United States

Polish Film Director Passes Away at 75

Andrzej Zulawski, Polish director who spent most of his professional life in France  died on Feb. 17 after a long struggle with cancer. He was 75. Points to Know

• He was born in Ukraine but later moved to poland
• He studied cinema in France
• His films include “Fidelity,” “Cosmos,” “Love”, “The third party”
• Cosmos bagged best director award last year

Mumbai Girl Creates A New Record In Chess

Suhaania lohi created history when she was ranked 6 among her co-players in chess. Key points

• She is from Mumbai. Her points is 1156
• The other 5 includes 2 Iranian, 1 Danish and 2 Russians.
• She won a Silver medal in the National Chess Championship in Nagpur
• She enters into the top league in girl’s category under 7

Cipla acquires two U.S. generic drug companies

Mumbai based Multinational Pharmacy company Cipla has acquired two US Drug companies namely InvaGen and Exelan pharmaceuticals for $550 million this deal announced last September .

• The combined revenue of these companies in 2015 was $230 million and this deal increase the market revenue to 20 % over next few years of present 8%.
• This move comes in pipeline to increase the presence of Cipla in largest Pharmaceuticals market and also to introduce new products in oncology and diabetes

Kajol named part-time member of Prasar Bharati board

Actress Kajol and Head of an online media company Shashi Shekharwere appointed as part time members of Prasar Bharati Board. The independent body should have six part time members headed by the Chairman.

• It is expected that appointed members will be the part of the meeting to be held on February 24 to discuss the appointment of DGs of doordarshan and All India Radio presently theses bodies led by interim chiefs.
• This comes after interim chief of Doordarshan C Lalrosanga who submitted his papers mentioning personal reasons.

Indian Nominated For Global Teacher Award Global Teacher Prize

It is happy to know that Robin Chaurasia the founder of NGO kranti has made it to the top 10 finalist for Global teacher award for her efforts to provide education to children of sex workers.
Points to Know

• She was born in Los Angeles, worked with US Air force and later resigned and started NGO kranti in 2011 in Mumbai which provides education for children of sex workers
• The $1 million award is aimed at recognizing the works of teachers who have made outstanding contributions to the society.
• The award was initiated by UK based Varkey Foundation in 2015.
• The other nominees are from Palestine, Pakistan, United States, Britain, Finland, Australia, Kenya, and Japan.
• This years’ winner will be announced at a ceremony in Dubai on March

Alliance Between Aditya Birla Nuvo Ltd And Idea Cellular For Payment Banks

RBI’s move to deepen financial inclusion by opening payment banks have gathered an over whelming response with top private companies eager to obtain license. Now this has gained importance with the alliance formed between Aditya Birla Nuvo Ltd and Idea Cellular to obtain payment bank license. Major contenders: RIL, UAE exchange, dewan housing finance, Airtel,  Videocon, Aditya Birla, Reliance

• Share: Aditya Birla- 51% & Idea- 49%
• Other ventures: SBI and Reliance Industries Limited

Prasar Bharati signs historical MoU with EBC

India’s largest Public Broadcasting Agency Prasar Bharati has signed a MoU with Empressa de communicacao to the broadcast related endeavors Exchange of News Programmes and co-production.

• The MoU signed between Prasar Bharati Chief Executive Director Jawhar Sircar and EBC Vice President Mr. Mario and the event held in Brazil.
• MoU includes sharing of Documentaries, Science programs Serials and Portuguese programs from Goa
• Prasar Bharati Earlier signed similar MoUs with Russia and China as it is emphasizing the presence of BRICS Nations in Information Exchange. This is a historical as Prasar bharati ratifying MoU with South American nation.

Facts about Brazil:

• Capital: Brasilia
• President: Dilma Rousseff
• Currency:  Brazilian Real

Indian Cleantech Sector receives 300 crores sanction from Ontario Govt

During a recent mission, the Ontario(Canada) delegates inked various agreements with India in diversified fields prominently the cleantech sector. It is told by a Ontario official that around 13 agreements have been signed. Features of the agreement

• Objective:   To enhance renewable and other clean technologies                        Investment: CAD 59.4 million (300 crores)
•  Agreement with: Tech Mahindra, HPSEBL, Smart Grid India forum

Key strategy – To utilize the huge renewable energy potential of India and employ the clean technologies to bridge the energy gap
Key points

• Ontario premier- Kathleen wynne

Maharashtra to set up Green Corridor to transport Organs

Maharashtra government has decided to formulate policy on Green Corridor to transport organs within the stipulated time.

• The government also mooted the proposal to appoint a nodal officer to oversee the hurdles faced by the police over jurisdiction issues.
• The window period for transport of organs is about five to six hours .The time not sufficient to transport of organs by road in case of farther cities to sort out these issues Government is proposing more than one organ at the same time to the significant cost reduction.
• The government is planning to waive 20 % state taxes levied on airlines for air ambulances.

BHEL commissioned 270 MW unit of GVK power plant in Punjab

Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd has commissioned a 270-MW coal-based thermal power project of GVK Power & Infra Ltd in Tarn Taran District of Punjab.The second unit of the project is expected to be commissioned shortly of same capacity.

• BHEL has also commissioned four Hydel power units of 82.5 MW each at Alaknanda Hydro Power project in Uttarakhand earlier this fiscal.
• These thermal power sets of 270 MW rating have been improvised in house output of 210-250 MW which have been performing much above the national Average and International benchmarks.
• BHEL has substantial notable in the state Hydro sector which accounts around 95% in Punjab State Power Corporation Limited.

Make In India Week ends on a High Note

The Make In India week launched by PM Narendra Modi  in Mumbai between February 13-18 ended on a high note attracting huge industrial investments. Keypoints

• Organized by DIPP and attracted a total investment of 2 Trillion
• Maharashtra holds half of the investments
• More than 9000 Indian companies and 2000 foreign companies participated representing 20 countries and 29 states
• 30% investment made under FDI
• To create 3 million jobs in Maharashtra

DIPP secretary- Amitabh kant

India and Armenia Sign MoU on Agriculture Cooperation

India and Armenia ratified MoU on Agricultural Cooperation which emphasizes not only trade and investment prospects also sharing Knowledge that both countries gained erstwhile.

• The meeting held in Indian Capital attended by Union Agricultural Minister Mr. Radha Mohan Singh and his counterpart Mr. Sergokarapetyan of Armenia.
• The MoU has envisaged several priority sectors such as plant-breeding, Buffalo-breeding and so on. It provides for Establishment of Joint Working Group and Preparation of Work plans, The MoU valid for five years and will be extended further.

Quick Facts about Armenia:

• Capital: Yerevan
• President: Serzh Sargsyan
• Prime Minister: Hovik Abrahamyan
• Currency : Dram

Now, tricolour to fly high at all central universities

In the aftermath of meeting called by Human Resource Ministry led by Smiriti Zubin Irani attended by 42 Vice Chancellors it is unanimously decided that central place in all central universities which comes under the ambit of Union Government Indian National Flag will be flown.

• Unfolding Nation Flag will instilling the spirit of nationalism most of the VCs said in the meeting held at Surajkund in Haryana.

All central universities to fly national flag on a 207 Feet high mast their campuses.

Amendments to the Delimitation Act, 2002- approved by Cabinet

The Union cabinet headed by PM  Narendra Modi on February 17 gave its assent to the Amendments of Delimitation Act,2002.This is in continuation of Constitution (100^thAmendment)Act, 2015 and it further allows the introduction of Election laws amendment bill in 2016.

• In a historically important pact signed between Bangladesh and India on 31^st July 2015, it was agreed to exchange 51 Bangladesh enclaves and 111 Indian enclaves

First phase of Kerala’s smart city project inaugurated

The first phase of Kerala’s dream project i.e. SmartCity project has been jointly initiated by state’s CM Oommen Chandy and UAE Minister of Cabinet Affairs Mohammad Al Gergawi. The project includes Rs 400 crore 6.5 lakh sq ft information technology tower.

• The project is a joint venture of Dubai Holding and Kerala government which is pegged to provide 5,500 knowledge based jobs.

Veteran singer Ustad Abdul Rashid Khan passes away Veteran singer Ustad Abdul Rashid Khan passes away

Veteran singer Ustad Abdul Rashid Khan had passed away in Kolkata due to old age problems.

• He was the oldest Hindustani classical vocalist.
• He was awarded with the Padma Bhushan in 2013.
• He had written nearly 2,000 poems.
• He was also awarded with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and Kashi Swar Ganga Award.
• Government of NCT Delhi had awarded him with life time achievement award in 2013.

Former West Indies cricketer Andy Ganteaume died

The former West Indies cricketer Andy Ganteaume had died in Santa Margarita

• He was a Trinidadian cricketer who had once played Test match for the West Indies.
• The autobiography of Andy Ganteaume is My Story: The Other Side of the Coin.
• He was also a regular member of Trinidad’s football team.
• He was the oldest living Test cricketer from West Indies’.
• He had scored his first-class century in 1946.

Haryanto becomes Indonesia’s first Formula1 Driver

Rio Haryanto becomes Indonesia’s first Formula 1 driver after signing a deal with Manor Racing going to be held in Melbourne, Australia.

• He replaces the Briton Will Stevens.
• He was accepted as a driver of Manor Racing Formula1 Team for the 2016 F1 season.
• He started he career at the Asian-based series during 2008 these are theAsian Formula Renault Challenge, Formula Asia 2.0, and Formula BMW Pacific

NASA finds ‘super-Earth’ with an atmosphere

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) had found a super-Earth with an atmosphere for the first time.

• The team includes astrophysicists form the European Space Agency (ESA) and the University College London.
• It was spotted with the Hubble telescope’s Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3).
• It is a big rocky planet whose surface is 8 times bigger than the Earth’s surface.
• The observation clearly show that the surface consist of Helium and Hydrogen

Google’s Project Loon ‘crashes’ in Sri Lanka in a tea plantation

Google’s “Project Loon” had crashed down in Sri Lanka in a tea plantation.

• The balloon is the part of the Google’s high-speed internet service.
• It was crashed during its first test flight.
• Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) of Sri Lanka was coordinating the tests with Google in the project.
• The launch is part of a planned joint project between the
• US internet giant and Colombo is the member of the joint project which aims to deliver high-speed internet access powered by helium-filled balloons.

MRF CMD Mammen elected ATMA Chairman

MRF Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) K.M. Mammen had been elected as the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ATMA) Chairman.

• He is also the President of the Indo-Australian Chamber of Commerce.
• Presently he is working as an executive board member of FICCI and a member of the Board of the Madras Christian College.
• He is the eldest son of the MRF Founder, the late K. M. Mammen Mappillai.

Tendulkar’s autobiography enters Limca Book of Records Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar’s autobiography had been entered in Limca Book of Records.

• His autobiography “Playing It My Way” had entered the Records in the category of best-selling books across both fiction and non-fiction categories.
• 1,50,289 copies of his books were sold on order subscriptions.
• The book was published by Hachetteand was launched on 5 November 2014 Mumbai India.
• Sachin Tendulkar is also known as the God of Indian Cricket.

Japan’s Terra Motors launches new e-rickshaws

Japan’s Terra Motors had launched an electric rickshaw for the Indian market.It aims to sell 30,000 units by the end of the year 2016 by enhancing its network in India.

• It costs Rs 1, 30, 00 Lakh.
• 5 million dollar had been invested by the company to expand manufacturing capacity in Gurgaon
• Terra Motors is the topmost e scooter company of Japan.
• It was launched with the name Y4Alfa e- rickshaw.

Axis Bank partners with Suvidhaa to offer loans to urban poor

Axis Bank had made partnership with Suvidhaa to offer loan to urban poor.

• Aims to provide loan to the urban people who have no formal credit score to boast and no bank guarantees to offer.
• These urban poor include Rickshaw pullers, taxi drivers, tailors, barbers etc.

Keys

• CEO of Axis Bank – Shikha Sharma
• Headquarters of Axis Bank – Mumbai
• Axis Bank Founded – 1994, Ahmedabad

Indo-Myanmar Coordinated Patrol (IMCOR) and Signing of Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Indo-Myanmar Coordinated Patrol (IMCOR) and Signing of Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)

Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Indo-Myanmar Coordinated Patrol (IMCOR) had been signed between Indian Navy and Myanmar Navy.

• It had been signed at the closing Ceremony of 4^th  IMCOR
• It will assist horizontal ways of coordinated patrols between two friendly Nations.
• It will help both the nation in Naval Patrol.

Keys

• Capital of Myanmar – Naypyidaw
• Currency of Myanmar – Burmese kyat
• President of Myanmar – Thein Sein

South Korea to build IT park in Islamabad

South Korea had decided to build an IT park in Islamabad that will cost $50-million. This tie will help both the nation to build a strong relationship.

• The park will cover an area of about one million sq.ft
• It will help to develop both the software and hardware section.

Keys

• Capital of South Korea – Seoul
• Currency of South Korea – South Korean won
• President of South Korea – Park Geun-hye
• Prime minister of South Korea – Hwang Kyo-ahn

Union Cabinet gives nod to Election Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2016

Union Cabinet had given nod to Election laws (Amendment) Bill 2016 in the Budget session of Parliament to amend two electoral laws.

• Section 11 of the Delimitation Act, 2002 and Section 9 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 were amended.
• As per the amendment voting rights are given to the people who became Indian citizens following the exchange of enclaves between India and Bangladesh.

Tamil Nadu announces free bus travel for senior citizens

Tamil Nadu government had announced free bus travel for senior citizens in Chennai metropolitan areas.

• To gain the benefits of the scheme person has to fill an application form and submit it to transport authorities for the tokens.
• Free bus passes will be provided to the senior citizens.
• Ten tokens are given to the person for a month.

Keys

• Capital of Tamil Nadu – Chennai
• CM of Tamil Nadu – Jayalalithaa

Odisha Government to introduce self-certifying scheme for industries to set up units

Odisha government had introduced a self-certifying scheme for non-hazardous industries to set up units.

• It aims to simplicity the process of doing business in Odisha at the initial level.
• This is a self-certifying scheme for non-hazardous industries.
• The decision for the scheme was taken by Chief Secretary AP Padhi at a high level summit.

Keys

• Capital of Odisha – Bhubaneswar
• Chief Minister of Odisha – Naveen Patnaik

Signing of MoU between IIPE and Andhra University

Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy (IIPE) and Andhra University had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to start the IIPE sessions during the academic year 2016-17.

• The MoU is signed for the 3 years.
• The MoU had been assisted by Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited.
• After the MoU IIPE will get the authorization to guide the nation in education, research and training related to all areas of Petroleum and Energy.

Cabinet grants ‘in-principle’ approval to the LIGO-India mega science proposal

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its ‘in principle’ approval to the LIGO-India mega science proposal for research on gravitational waves. The proposal, known as LIGO-India project (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory in India) is piloted by Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Science and Technology (DST).

• The LIGO-India project will establish a state-of-the-art gravitational wave observatory in India in collaboration with the LIGO Laboratory in the U.S. run by Caltech and MIT.
• The project will bring unprecedented opportunities for scientists and engineers to dig deeper into the realm of gravitational wave and take global leadership in this new astronomical frontier.

LIGO-India will also bring considerable opportunities in cutting edge technology for the Indian industry which will be engaged in the construction of eight kilometre long beam tube at ultra-high vacuum on a levelled terrain.

Alok Kumar Verma to be the next Delhi Police chief

Senior IPS officer Alok Kumar Verma will be the next Commissioner of Delhi Police. He will succeeding incumbent B S Bassi, who will hang his boots on February 29. About Alok Kumar Verma

• A 1979-batch Union Territory cadre officer, 58-year-old Verma is currently serving as DG of Tihar prison.
• He will serve as the top police officer of the national capital for 17 months.

Flipkart appoints Nitin Seth as the Chief People Officer

Nitin Seth appointed as India’s biggest online marketplace Flipkart Chief People Officer. 

• Prior to Flipkart, Seth was the managing director and country head for Fidelity International in India.
• Seth will lead the human resource function and partner with the leadership team to build an organization for the future that is versatile and adaptable and bring about a distinctive culture that will fuel business performance.

Key

• CEO and co-founder of Flipkart – Binny Bansal

Fashion designer Manish Arora conferred Knight of the Legion of Honour, France’s highest honour

Fashion designer Manish Arora had been conferred with the Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur (Knight of the Legion of Honor) France’s highest civilian honor.

• The award is given for gratitude of his inspired creations and significant contribution to the fashion world.
• Knight of the Legion of Honor award is presented to both citizens of France as well as foreigners.

Keys

• Capital of France – Paris
• Prime minister of France – Manuel Valls
• President of France – François Hollande
• Currencies of France – Euro, CFP franc

Karnataka Bank bags award

Karnataka Bank Ltd has bagged ‘IBA Banking Technology Award’ in the category of ‘Best Risk and Fraud Management Initiative  Runner Up among the small banks.

• The bank said the award was announced as part of Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) Technology Conference, Expo and Awards 2016.
• Mahabaleshwara MS, Chief General Manager of the bank received the award from HR Khan, Deputy Governor of RBI, and Ashwani Kumar, Chairman of IBA, in Mumbai

Key points:
Karnataka Bank is a major banking institution based in the coastal city of Mangaluru in Karnataka, India. The Reserve Bank of India has designated Karnataka Bank as an A1+-class scheduled commercial bank.It was founded in 1924.

Command Hospital (Eastern Command), Kolkata gets Raksha Mantri’s Trophy for Best Service Hospital.

• The Defence Minister Shri Manohar Parrikar presented the Raksha Mantri’s Trophy and citation for the Best and Second Best Service Hospital in the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS).
• The trophy for the Best Service Hospital went to Command Hospital (Eastern Command), Kolkata, which was received by its Commandant Major General TS Ahluwalia.
• The trophy for the Second Best Hospital was presented to INHS Asvini, Mumbai, which was received by its Commandant Surgeon Rear Admiral AA Pawar.

Jharkhand and Adani Group inked MoU to set up thermal power plant

Jharkhand government and Adani Group had inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to set up a 1600 MW capacity thermal power plant for investment of 15000 crore rupees in the state.

• It will be set up in Godda and Sahibganj districts of Jharkhand.
• The Jharkhand total investment is expected to be Rs 62,000 crore.

Keys

• Jharkhand Chief Minister – Ragubar Das
• Managing director of Adani Group – Rajesh Adani

Big Bazaar Direct ties up with Oxigen Services

Big Bazaar Direct had tied up with Oxigen Services a payment service provider.

• The aim of the tie is to offer products easily to the end customers at affordable price and at their nearer store.
• This tie will enable Oxigen’s 2 lakh retailers to sell the wide assortment of Big Bazaar Direct to their end customers.

Keys

• Chairman and Managing Director of Oxigen Services – Pramod Saxena
• Founder of BigBazaar – Kishore Biyani

US-Asean summit session held in California US-Asean summit session held in California

U.S -Southeast Asian summit session was held at the historic Sunnylands Center in Rancho Mirage, California.
The three objectives of the summit are

• To provides an opportunity to build out its economic approach for the United States and ASEAN.
• To resolve the maritime disputes peacefully according to international law
• To signal the importance of ASEAN to its successor.

ASEAN stands for Association of Southeast Asian Nations

WHO Issues $56 Million Plan To Combat Zika Virus

• The World Health Organization (WHO) said that $56 million is needed to combat the Zika virus through June, including fast-tracking vaccines and diagnostics.
• The funds, including $25 million for the WHO itself, would also be used to control the mosquito-borne virus that has now spread to 39 countries and has been linked to birth defects in Brazil, as well as research studies.

Signing of BRICS Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the fields of Science, Technology and Innovation

The Union Cabinet had been apprised about signing of BRICS Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the fields of Science, Technology and innovation (STI).

• The MoU will help in the promotion of cooperation in the field of science, technology and innovation among BRIGS countries.
• The aim of the MoU is to establish a planned framework of cooperation in Science, Technology and Innovation STI.

Haryana, South Korean state of Chungcheongbuk to collaborate on technology and development

Haryana and South Korean state of Chungcheongbuk had agreed to collaborate on technology and development.

• Haryana’s CM Manohar Lal Khattar had accepted the proposal for sister-statehood relationship made with delegation from South Korea.
• Some of the South Korean companies in India are Samsung,LG and Hyundai and currently added companies are Kakodear, Casco, LS cables and SD Bio Sensor.
• For the Happening Haryana Global Investors Summit-2016 government invites the South Korean businesses and investors which is scheduled to be organized in Gurgaon on March 7-8.

CCEA approves construction of 6 railway lines at a cost of Rs. 10,700 cr

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) had approved the construction of 6 railway lines and a railway bridge at an estimated cost of Rs 10,700 crore.

• These six lanes include Hubli-Chickajur line, Wardha (Sewagram) Ballarshah, Ramna-Singrauli line Anuppur-Katni, Katni-Singrauli line and Rampur Dumra-Tal-Rajendrapul line.
• The new railway lines will organize the increased railway passenger and their needs.

Key

• Minister of Railways – Suresh Prabhu

Cabinet approves WTO’s trade facilitation pact

The Union Cabinet approved the proposal for notification of commitments under the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

• The agreement, which is part of the WTO’s Bali ministerial package of 2013, contains provisions for expediting the movement, release and clearance of goods, including goods in transit. It also sets out measures for effective cooperation between customs and other appropriate authorities on trade facilitation and customs compliance issues.
• The Cabinet also approved the ratification and acceptance of the Instrument of Acceptance of Protocol of TFA to the WTO Secretariat and constitution of the National Committee on Trade Facilitation (NCTF).
• The committee would be set up under the joint chair of the revenue and commerce secretaries to facilitate both domestic coordination and implementation of the provisions of the agreement.

The agreement will come into force after it is formally accepted by two-thirds of the WTO membership. Till now, 69 countries of the 162 members of the WTO have ratified this pact.

India and Singapore sign MoU

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi gave its ex-post facto approval for signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Singapore Cooperation Enterprise (SCE).The MoU was signed on 24th November, 2015.

• The MoU will allow the two countries to share experiences in the field of Urban Development Governance and Capacity Building.

Key points:

• Singapore Capital: Singapore
• Singapore Currency: Singapore Dollar
• Singapore PM: Lee Hsien Loong

Renowned Malayalam writer passes away

Noted Malayalam novelist and short story writer Akbar Kakkattil passed away.He was 62 . About Akbar Kakkattil :

• He has 54 books to his credit which includes, four novels, 27 short stories, six collections of essays, seven novelettes, a play, among others.
• He was the Vice-President of the Kerala Sahitya Akademi and Member of Malayalam Advisory Panel of National Book Trust and Malayalam Advisory Board of Kerala Government.
• He had worked as a member of the governing body of South Zone Cultural Centre of the Union government and Kerala State Institute of Children’s literature.
• He was also a member of Malayalam Advisory Board of Kendra Sahitya Akademi and Convener of Publication Committee, Kerala Sahitya Akademi.

Awards :

• A two-time winner of the prestigious Kerala Sahitiya Akademi award.
• He was also recipient of the first-ever award in humour section in 1992 for his ‘School Diary‘ an anthology of short essays
• In the year 2004 his ‘Vadakkuninnoru Kudumba Vrithantham’ was awarded as the best novel.

Former UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali died Former UN President

Boutros Boutros-Ghali, a veteran Egyptian diplomat, who helped negotiate his country’s landmark peace deal with Israel but then clashed with the United States when he served a single term as UN secretary-general, has died. He was 93.
About Boutros Boutros-Ghali :

• Egyptian diplomat served one term as secretary general from 1992-96 and was first African to hold position
• Boutros-Ghali, the scion of a prominent Egyptian Christian political family.
• He stepped into the post in 1992 at a time of dramatic world changes, with the collapse of the Soviet Union, the end of the Cold War and the beginning of a unipolar era dominated by the United States.

About UN :

• TheUnited Nations (UN) is an intergovernmental organization to promote international co-operation. The headquarters of the United Nations is in Manhattan, New York City.
• A replacement for the ineffectiveLeague of Nations, the organization was established on 24 October 1945 after World War II .
• The UN had 51 member states, there are now 193.

Indian Railways Wins National Chess Team Championship for the First Time

Indian Railways has won The National Chess team Championship for the first time at the 36th Championship was held at Bhubaneswar from 8th to 14th February, 2016.

• Indian Railway team beat its counterparts, viz. Odisha, Gujrat, Air-India, Petroleum Sports Promotion Board, Airport Authority of India, Tamil Nadu, Delhi. Lastly, Indian Railway ousted Life Insurance Corporation.
• Indian Railway team consisted of Karthikayan/ICF, Deepan Chakkravarthy/ICF,Shri Rathnakaran/SR,Shri Arghyadip Das/ER and Shri Swapni Dhopade/CR.

ShortDena Bank’s Sridhar selected as umpire (Table Tennis) for Rio Olympic Games

Sridhar of Short Dena Bank’shad been selected as Umpire (Table Tennis) for the comingRio Olympic Games 2016.

• The Rio Olympic Games will started from August 5 and end on August 21, 2016.
• He will be going to represent as an Indian Table Tennis umpire.
• Formerly he had represented India in the Asian Games at Incheon South Korea and in Commonwealth Games Glasgow, Scotland.
• He is a Blue Badge International Umpire represented India in more than ten World Table Tennis Championships.

Environment Minister launches envis portal

Minister of Information and Broadcasting Javadekar launched a website and mobile application for integrating its Environment Information System(ENVIS) centres. About  ENVIS:

• Environment Information System (ENVIS) is a ministry initiative for integrating country-wide efforts in environment -related information collection, collation, storage, and dissemination.
• The ENVIS portal will run parallel with Digital India Objective and aid the efforts for improving digital literacy in the environment sector.
• The ENVIS network presently consists of 69 centres, of which 29 are hosted by environment departments of various state governments while 40 are operated by environment-related government and non-governmental organisations.

Javadekar also inaugurated a two-day workshop on National Interaction-cum-kivaluation of all ENVIS systems.

DRDO to conduct captive flight trails of Anti-Radiation Missile

Captive flight trials of an advanced state-of-the-art Anti-Radiation Missile (ARM) are planned for April-May this year and the maiden flight test by year-end by the missile technologists of the Defence Research and Development Organisation. About Anti-Radiation Missile :

• The air-to-surface tactical missile being developed by Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) will target the enemy’s air defence capabilities by attacking radars and communication facilities.
• The range of the missile is 100 to 125 km and it will be mounted on combat aircraft Sukhoi (Su-30) and Tejas-Light Combat Aircraft.
• The missile picks up the radiation or signals of radars and communication facilities and homes on to the targets to destroy them.
• Only a few countries, including the U.S. and Germany have ARMs at present.

Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley inaugurates Non-Tax Receipt Portal

Arun Jaitley the Union Finance Minister inaugurated the Non-Tax Receipt Portal (NTRP).

• It had been developed by the Controller General of Accounts (CGA) office.
• It will provide a one-stop platform for making online payment of Non-Tax Receipts to the Government of India.
• It provides platform to citizens, corporate and other users.
• The annual collection is over Rs 2 lakh crores.
• The interest receipts, spectrum charges, royalty, license fee, sale of forms, RTI application fee are the major stuff of Non-Tax Receipts.

Indian origin scientist discovers fast Tin Monoxide conductor to replace silicon

Indian-origin scientist Ashutosh Tiwari with his team had discovered a fast Tin Monoxide conductor to replace silicon.

• It is made up of the tin and oxygen elements (tin monoxide SnO).
• The electrical charges in the newly discovered element moves faster than the conventional 3D materials.
• This 2D material is made up of just one or two atoms therefore the electrons has to move in one layer so it’s much faster than 3d elements.
• It consumes less power and will help in speedier computers and Smartphone’s.

HCL Technologies acquires Volvo Group’s external IT business

HCL Technologies had acquired the Volvo Group’s external IT business.

• The total value of deal is not disclosed yet but it is estimated to be in the range of $1.75 billion (Rs 11,900 crore).
• HCL is a leading global IT services provider and the Volvo Group is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of commercial vehicles.
• 40 new customers from the Nordics and France are added to HCL portfolio.
• After the acquisition approximately 2,500 highly skilled people will transfer to HCL across 11 countries from Volvo Group.

NITI Aayog CEO to be member of Telecom Panel

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given its approval to nomination of Chief Executive Officer, NITI Aayog, as part-time member of the Telecom Commission in place of Secretary, Planning Commission.

• NITI Aayog CEO as the part-time member is aimed at lending value to deliberations of the Telecom Commission, it added.

About  Telecom Commission

• The Telecom Commission was set up by central government through a resolution dated April 11, 1989.
• The Telecom Commission was composed of a chairman, four full-time members and four part-time members, including the Secretary of the Planning Commission.
• After the replacement, only three part-time members were left with the Telecom Commission.

Sri Srinivasan First Indian-American Judge Of US Supreme Court

Sri Srinivasan become the first Indian-American to be on the bench of the US Supreme Court after conservative icon Justice Antonin Scalia’s sudden death.He was nominated  President Barack Obama . About  Sri Srinivasan :

• Chandigarh-born Srikanth ‘Sri’ Srinivasan, 48, tops the list of prospective justice to the country’s highest judicial body.
• He began his legal career by serving as a law clerk for Judge J Harvie Wilkinson on the US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit from 1995 to 1996.
• He then spent a year as a Bristow Fellow in the Office of the Solicitor General before clerking for O’Connor during the Supreme Court’s 1997-98 term.
• He was an associate at the law firm of O’Melveny & Myers LLP in Washington DC from 1998 until 2002.

Awards & Honours :
He received the Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Furthering US National Security in 2003 and the Office of the Secretary of Defence Award for Excellence in 2005.

Indian-Origin Student Honoured In US for His Charity Work

Ishaan Patel an Indian-origin 13 year old boy has been honoured in the US for his charity work.

• He made efforts to improve access to education for under privileged students in America and around the world.
• He is the founder and CEO of Planting Pencils.
• He was recently honoured by the Milan Cultural Organisation in the Legislative Office Hartford, Connecticut.
• He is the student of Kingswood-Oxford School in West Hartford.

Supreme Court seeks list of companies who have defaulted over Rs. 500 crore

The Supreme Court had directed the RBI that it seeks the list of companies, which have defaulted bank loans of over Rs. 500 crore.

• Expressing the serious concern over the rise in bad loans the court asked the RBI to provide the list within six weeks.
• A bad loan is a loan where repayments are not being made as per the agreement between the borrower and the lender.

Key

• Chief Justice of India – T.S. Thakur

PNB declares United Breweries Holdings ‘wilful defaulter’

Punjab National Bank (PNB) had declared United Breweries Holdings, Kingfisher Airlines and Vijay Mallya as willful defaulter.

• State Bank of India had also declared Mallya, Kingfisher Airlines and its holding company United Breweries Holdings as wilful defaulters in November 2015.
• For recovery bank conglomerate led by SBI had decided to auction Kingfisher House in Mumbai on March 17 to recover a part of Rs 6,963 crore
• Punjab National Bank had an exposure of Rs 800 crore to the redundant carrier.

SBI opens ‘Japan Desk’ in New Delhi Japan Desk

State Bank of India (SBI) launched ‘Japan Desk‘, a first-of-its-kind initiative to facilitate Japanese corporates looking to invest with banking and advisory services.
Aim: To be the window for inbound Japanese investments in India and vice-versa.

• This will serve as an one-point comprehensive and reliable information support source for India-bound investments of Japanese companies.

Key points:

• SBI HQ: Mumbai
• SBI CEO: Arundhati Bhattacharya

4 oil producing Nations consented to freeze oil output

In a bid to tackle plummet that has battered nations, markets and companies, world’s largest producers of oil, Saudi Arabia and Russia consented to freeze oil output at near-record levels but producer Iran and Iraq stood out of this agreement.

• This agreement is first of its kind in coordinated cooperation between OPEC (13 member cartel that controls more than a third of the world’s oil) and non-OPEC producers in 15 years as oil producers seek to boost persistently low oil prices which have sunk by about 70%.
• Contrary, Iran and Iraq is planning to increase output by at least 500,000 barrels a day.

ICC Cricket for Good and UNICEF launched Team Swachh clinics in partnership with BCCI ICC Cricket for Good and UNICEF launched Team Swachh clinics in partnership with BCCI

International Cricket Council (ICC) and United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) had launched the Team Swachh clinics in partnership with BCCI during the ICC WT20 Host City Tour.

• The Team Swachh clinics were launched at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh.
• This is the first in the series of alliance between the ICC and UNICEF under the aegis of Cricket for Good.
• The alliance aims at building a social movement for sanitation and toilet use with the impact of cricket.

NRDC inks MoA with Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS), Kolkatta on Technology Transfer”

National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) had inked Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS) in Kolkata for technology Transfer at IACS.

• NRDC will provide its services in IP Evaluation and Valuation in terms of their commercial potential to IACS as per the agreement.
• National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) is an Enterprise of Department of Scientific & Industrial Research under the guidance of Union Ministry of Science & Technology.

Himachal’s Samej village becomes smokeless by Indian Oil Corporation

The Samej village in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh becomes smokeless by the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) under the Union Government’s campaign.

• Indian Oil Corporation authorities distributed 130 gas connections to the villagers before these villagers were using fire wood in their homes.
• The Indian Oil Corporation initiative made this village hundred percent smokeless.
• In Himachal 83 percent people are using the LPG.
• Such initiatives will help to make the state fully smoke free and will prevent deforestation.

World Radio Day

The nation celebrates the first edition of World Radio Day in 2012. It was originally proposed by Spain. It was celebrated this year to remember the contribution of radio in our life.

• World Radio Day is an observance day held annually on 13 February.
• Theme of the 2016 world radio day is “Radio in Times of Emergency and Disaster”.

Indian Ambassador to Tajikistan Biraja Prasad passes away Indian Ambassador to Tajikistan Biraja Prasad passes away

India’s Ambassador to Tajikistan Biraja Prasad passed away.

• Biraja Prasad, a 1998 batch Indian Foreign Service officer of Odisha, was the youngest IFS officer to be appointed as India’s Ambassador to any country.

He had also worked as Deputy Chief of Mission in Embassy of India at Madrid. In the ministry, Prasad handled works related to India’s bilateral relations with Russian Federation, France, Germany and Spain.

BCCI bans Pakistani umpire Asad Rauf for 5 years

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had banned Pakistani umpire Asad Rauf was for five years.

• The committee found him guilty of corrupt practices.
• He was the part of the ICC’s elite panel and officiated in Test matches.
• The committee was headed by BCCI president Shashank Manohar, Jyotiraditya Scindia and Niranjan Shah.
• He had been withdrawn by Pakistan from the ICC’s elite panel.

ISRO to launch Cryogenic mk-III based GSLV vehicle in Dec

Indian Space Research Organasion (ISRO) had launched the Cryogenic mark-III based GSLV satellite launch vehicle in December.

• This is the 10th High Energy Materials Conference and Exhibition in Hyderabad.
• The high-thrust cryogenic engine (CE20) was successfully test fired at the ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC), Mahendragiri.
• It will help at the time of emergency when undertake tests to bring back humans safe to earth.

Keys

• Senior ISRO official and VSSC Director – Dr K Sivan

YouTube launches its first original movies and series

YouTube had launched its first original movies and series for YouTube Red subscriber.

• It aims to contend with the other networking sites like Amazon and Netflix.
• The first videos are now live now.
• They have been developed in combination with some of the company’s best stars like Lilly Singh, Rooster Teeth, Pew Die Pie and Awesomeness TV.

Amazon acquires Italy-based software firm NICE

Amazon Web Services had acquired Italy based software firm NICE for technical computing.

• The NICE is a cloud computing firm.
• The total financial term had not disclosed yet.
• Italy-based NICE has customers from aerospace to industrial, energy and utilities.
• It is expected that the deal will going to close in the first quarter of 2016

Keys

• Headquarters of Amazon – Seattle, Washington, U.S
• Founder of Amazon – Jeff Bezos

Vilas Tonapi appointed as Director of IIMR

Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR) has designated Vilas A. Tonapi as its director.

• At present, Tonapi is serving as the Principal Scientist at Seed Science and Technology of the IIMR.

About Vilas Tonapi:

• He holds a PhD from Tamil Nadu Agriculture University and obtained his post-Doctoral from University of Queensland, Australia.
• He has 50 research papers to his credit in peer reviewed journals, 30 authored and edited books.

Facebook India head Kirthiga Reddy steps down Facebook India head Kirthiga Reddy steps down

Facebook India Managing Director Kirthiga Reddy had stepped down from her current role and will relocate the headquarters to US.

• Facebook is one of the biggest and active social networking site in the world.
• Facebook had promoted Free Basics programme over the country
• It will violate the principle of net neutrality.
• It will explore new opportunities to the people.

Keys

• Founder of Facebook- Mark Zuckerberg

Nagendra Kumar Saxena concurrently accredited as the next High Commissioner of India to Solomon lslands

GOI has designated Nagendra Kumar Saxena as the next High Commissioner of lndia to Solomon lslands with residence in Port Moresby.

• Presently, he is serving as the High Commissioner of lndia to the independent State of Papua New Guinea

Keys Solomon lslands:

• Capital – Honiara
• Currency – Solomon Islands dollar

Lionel Messi wins the La Liga player of the month award Lionel Messi wins the La Liga player of the month award

Lionel Messi has been named La Liga player of the month for January. For the first time he has won the award. Messi scored six times that month, nine times in March 2014 (including consecutive hat-tricks), five in October 2014, nine the following month, seven in February 2015 and four times last December.

• The Barcelona forward was honoured at the 23rd time of asking after scoring six goals in as many league games in January.
• The award has been given out since the beginning of the 2013-14 Primera División season but the five-times Ballon d’Or winner had not won it until now.

Cristiano Ronaldo has won the award twice since it began in September 2013, as have the Atlético pair Diego Godín and Antoine Griezmann and the Real Sociedad striker Carlos Vela.

Government to introduce Business Identification Number for companies

To improve ease of doing business, the government is all set to introduce Business Identification Number (BIN) for companies.

• The BIN would act as an identification number for different regulatory purposes and do away with the need for procuring separate registration numbers.
• Normally, a company is required to obtain 18 different registration numbers.

As per the proposal, the permanent account number (PAN) may become the BIN for companies.

RBI changes g-sec tenures under OMO to rein in yield

With an aim to maintain liquidity and also keep rising yields in the market under check, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is changing the profile of the government securities (Gsecs), it is buying from bond investors under its open market operations (OMOs).

• A bond issued by a government authority, with a promise of repayment upon maturity that is backed by government
• An open market operation refers to a monetary policy tool in which central banks buy and sell bonds to regulate the money supply in the economy.

India summons US Ambassador over Washington nod for sale of eight F-16 fighters to Pak

Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar summoned US Ambassador Richard Verma to expressed disappointment over US administration’s decision to sell eight F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan because that such arms’ transfers will help combat terrorism. About the deal :

• Eight F-16 fighter jets built by Lockheed Martin Corp, radar and other equipment in a deal valued at $699 million.

Key points :

• Pakistan Capital : Islamabad
• Pakistan Currency: Pakistani Rupee
• Pakistan PM: Nawaz Sharif

Manipal University signs MoU for academic cooperation with University of Chicago

Manipal University had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for academic cooperation with University of Chicago USA in Manipal.

• University of Chicago is the top ten global Universities in the 2016 Times Higher Education World University rankings.
• It is a leading medical school in the USA.
• It includes mutual exchange of undergraduate and graduate medical students for clinical observer-ships.
• It will provide faculty to exchange for educational purposes.

Keyes

• Vice Chancellor of Manipal University– H Vinod Bhat

Vizag to be first major port to run on solar energy

Vizag port in Hyderabad will be the first major port to run on solar energy.

• VPT is currently having 2MW solar power plants which were built with an investment of Rs. 60 crore.
• It aims to generate 8 MW capacity solar plants.
• These projects will help to overcome the burden of energy over the state.

Keys

•  Chairman of Vizag Port Trust (VPT) – MT Krishna Babu

States can clampdown mobile internet access under Section 144 of CrPC: Supreme Court

States can clampdown mobile internet access under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) as ruled by the Supreme Court.

• According to the rule if there is anxiety and people can turn aggressive and disturb public tranquillity than that particular state can get tough on the mobile internet access.
• Blocking the internet facilities during the serious situations will help the government and local people and avoid the rumours.

It will help to maintain law and order in the state during the violent situations

Gujarat Govt’s new IT policy aims to create 1 mn new jobs

Gujarat Government announced a new IT Policy and Incentive Scheme (2016-21), aiming to promote the sector by providing subsidies to investors and create 10 lakh new jobs.

• Under the policy, the state Government would provide capital subsidy of a total of Rs. 25 crore to investors and incentives as discounts in stamp duty on land/office transactions, registration fees, power tariff and VAT to those setting up units and the IT parks.
• It also lays emphasis on setting up R&D institutions, finishing schools and provides incentives to units as well as IT industry organizations for participation in international trade fairs.

To link incentives with employment creation for the youths, the policy provides that units availing assistance under the IT policy will be required to take interns at a rate of minimum one intern for every 20 employees.

Dr Jitendra Singh and Shri Kiren Rijiju inaugurate the festival ‘Destination North-East-2016’

The Union Minister of State Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space – Dr. Jitendra Singh and Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju had inaugurated the festival Destination North-East-2016.

• It will provide platform to the inherent economic, social and cultural strength of the North East Region (NER) at the national level.

Book titled A Kingdom for his Love launched by Amar Chitra Katha

Amar Chitra Katha has launched its first romance title “A Kingdom For His Love” the fiction co-authored by Vani Mahesh and Shinie Antony is a retelling of a Sanskrit play ‘Swapnavasavadattam’, by one of the earliest and most celebrated playwrights Bhasa. About the book:

• The story explores the timeless romance of King Udayana and princess Vasavadatta from rival kingdoms set in an ancient era.
• Udayana, the ruler of Kausambi renowned for his magical Veena, Ghoshavati, which when played by him can subdue even the wildest creature is tricked and captured by members of the rival kingdom Ujjaini.

Soviet football legend Anatoli Ilyin passed away

Soviet football legend Anatoly Ilyin died at the age of 84 here on Thursday. About Anatoli Ilyin :

• Striker Ilyin was capped 31 times by the then Soviet Russia between 1952-59 and scored 16 goals. He played for the Spartak Moscow club for the majority of his professional career (1949-1962).
• He won the Soviet Top League with his club five times (1952, 1953, 1956, 1958 and 1962)
• He was the league’s top scorer twice, in 1954 (11 goals) and 1958 (20 goals).
• He also participated in the 1958 World Cup.

Siachen braveheart Lance Naik Hanamanthappa passed away Siachen braveheart Lance Naik Hanamanthappa passed away

Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Koppad died at the Army Research and Referral (RR) Hospital in Delhi .Three days after he was rescued after being buried in ice and snow for six days in Siachen Glacier.

• Koppad was the lone survivor among 10 soldiers buried by an avalanche on Siachen on February 3.

About others

• Of the ten soldiers who died during avalanche in Siachen on Feb 3, three were from Karnataka,Other four were from Tamil Nadu, one each from Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.

Pulitzer winning composer Leslie Bassett passes away

Leslie Bassett, a Pulitzer Prize-winning composer known for his lush sonorities and ecumenical instrumentation, died in Georgia. He was 93. About Leslie Bassett :

• He studied composition with Homer Keller at the University of Michigan.
• He was a member of the Gamma Pi chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia at California State University-Fresno, 1942.
• Bassett received the Pulitzer in 1966 for “Variations for Orchestra,” which had been given its United States premiere by the Philadelphia Orchestra under Eugene Ormandy the year before.

INS Viraat to be developed as tourism centre

INS Viraat an Airrcraft carrier will be developed as a tourism centre in the Navy, Andhra Pradesh.

• This proposal was given by the defense Ministry of India
• It aims to take awake the tourism-related activities on the warship.
• The enhanced importance of the port city also enhance the tourism in the state
• INS Viraatis a Centaur-class aircraft carrier in service with the Indian Navy.

Keys

• Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh – N Chandrababu Naidu

Ramesh Abhishek named new DIPP secy

Former Forwards Markets Commission (FMC) chairman Ramesh Abhishek has been appointed secretary in the department of industrial policy and promotion (DIPP), making him responsible for implementation of “Make in India” and “Start up India”.

• He succeeds the high-profile Amitabh Kant, who will head to Niti Aayog, as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

About Ramesh Abhishek :

• Abhishek, a 1982 batch Bihar cadre Indian Administrative Service officer, will take over after Kant’s retirement on February 29. He will move to DIPP with immediate effect as officer on special duty till February 29.
• Abhishek is currently posted as secretary at the performance management division in the cabinet secretariat.

Tamar Hahn took charge of Director of United Nations Information Centre

Tamar Hahn of Israel appointed as the Director of United Nations Information Centre in Buenos Aires by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

• Currently Hahn was the Regional Adviser for Resource Mobilization and Partnerships at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean in Panama City, Panama, since 2013.

About United Nations Information Centre :
The United Nations Information Centre is any office in at least 60 locations around the world which serve as regional couriers of information from the United Nations to the local public.

• HQ – Buenos Aires

Coca Cola stops manufacturing in 3 Indian Plants Coca Cola stops manufacturing in 3 Indian Plants

Coca-Cola India had stopped manufacturing in three Indian Plants.

• These three plants are located in Jaipur, Vishakhapatnam and Meghalaya
• It operates around 54 plants in India out of which 25 are company owned, 24 are franchisee plants and five are copackers.
• Coca-Cola India is a soft drink company.
• It was the fastest growing brewage company.
• Coca Cola is the US biggest beverage company.

India’s gold demand up by 2.5% in 2015: WGC

India’s demand for gold recovered to increase by 2.5% in 2015 as reported by The World Gold Council (WGC).

• Investment in gold is turn down by 6% year-on-year in volume terms, jewellery demand expanded 5.3%.
• Gold demand was valued at Rs 2, 02,910 crore.
• Total gold recycled in India in Q4 2015 was 20 tonnes.
• The value of jewellery rise by 41% to Rs 40,595.36 crore
• Total jewellery demand for Q4 2015 was up by 6.39% at 173.1 tonnes

Reserve Bank tells banks to set aside more for stressed loans

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has directed to set aside more for stressed loans.

• The central bank had aimed to increase the provisioning by 2.5 per cent every quarter.
• Public sector banks have seen a sharp rise in their non-performing assets in the last three years.
• Public sector banks had share an unequal burden of the stress.

Keys

• Governor of RBI– Raghuram Rajan

Pakistan launched $500 million projects for Afghanistan

Pakistan had launched projects worth $500 million in Afghanistan covering different sectors including education, health and infrastructure.

• As per the project Pakistan has offered 3,000 scholarships to the Afghan students in different universities.
• The project is a joint relation between the two nations.

Keys

• Capital of Pakistan – Islamabad
• Prime minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif
• President of Pakistan Mamnoon Hussain
• Currency of Pakistan Pakistani rupee
• Capital of Afghanistan – Kabul
• President of Afghanistan – Ashraf Ghani
• Currency of Afghanistan – Afghan afghani

Titanic II will set sail in 2018

Titanic II replica of the ship hitting an iceberg in 1912, killing 1,503 people, is being built for a whole new journey across the Atlantic.

• The Titanic II project is the motivated idea of Australian billionaire Clive Palmer.
• It is build to meet the modern safety standards.
• It will have a welded and not riveted hull and four yards wider.
• It will have first, second and third-class tickets for sale.

Elephanta Island to get electricity from Independence Day 2016

Elephanta Island will soon get completely electrified by Independence Day 2016.

• Elephanta Island is Famous for its Hindu cave sculptures depicting the cult of Shiva.
• It is an electricity grid project worth Rs 25 crores.
• Elephanta Island is UNESCO world heritage site.
• It is a popular tourist destination designated since 1987.
• It is also known as the ‘City of Caves’
• The power cable network between mainlands Mumbai will be layed by government.

International Day of Women and Girls in Science

11th February was declared by the United Nations General Assembly as International Day Women and Girls in Science.

Purpose: To highlight female achievement, equal access and participation in the science field.

• On December 22nd 2015, the 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly adopted a groundbreaking resolution to establish an annual International Day of Women and Girls in Science.

Google launches public flood alerts in India

Google will launch a public flood alerts feature in India.The feature will be available through Google Public Alerts.

• It will provide a platform through which company uses for disseminating emergency messages.
• It will display details such as a map, expected timeline and precaution and safety measures related to the area.
• It can help to find flood alerts with river level information for more than 170 areas.

MoU signed to set up joint venture for Railway project in C’garh

Railways joined hands with the Chhattisgarh government for laying of 762 km-long rail line in the state as part of the rail infrastructure development plan.

• The MoU envisages formation of a joint venture company with the state for execution of rail projects. The JV companies will have 51 per cent stake of the state government and 49 per cent of Railways.

Keyfacts: 

• The governments of 17 states have consented to formation of joint venture companies with Railways for rail infrastructure development.
• Chhattisgarh is the fifth state to join hands with the Railways for speedy execution of rail projects through JV route

Key points:

• Chhattisgarh Capital: Raipur
• Chhattisgarh Governor: Balramji Das Tandon
• Chhattisgarh CM: Raman Singh

MoU signed between Ministry of Railways and Governments of Telangana

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had been signed between Ministry of Railwaysand State Government of Telangana 

 Key Highlights

• The MoU aims at Formation of Joint Venture Companies for Development of Railway Infrastructure in the State of Telangana.
• Setting up of Joint Ventures with states for focused project development, resource mobilization, land acquisition, project implementation and monitoring of critical rail projects.
• MoUs will be proved as the new innovation for formation of JV companies.

Wipro buys US-based HealthPlan Services for $460 million

Wipro signed an agreement to acquire the US-based HealthPlan Services from Water Street Healthcare Partners for $460 million. This is Wipro’s fourth acquisition in the last six months

• By partnering with HealthPlan Services, Wipro gains the competitive, first-mover advantage in the high growth public and private exchange space for individual, group and ancillary markets.
• The Health Plan acquisition is Wipro’s largest since it bought Infocrossing in 2007 for $600 million.

Keypoints:

• Wipro CEO : Abidali Z. Neemuchwala
• HealthPlan Services CEO: Jeff Bak

Mukesh Bansal, Ankit Nagori quit Flipkart Mukesh Bansal, Ankit Nagori quit Flipkart

Mukesh Bansal the head of commerce and advertising business at Flipkart, co founderBinny Bansal’s and Chief Business Officer Ankit Nagori had resigned from Flipkart

• Flipkart is an online market place that acquired fashion etailer Myntra in 2014, will continue to be an advisor to the company.
• Bansal had founded Myntra in 2007.
• Binny Bansal will now supervise the commerce and advertising platforms.
• Bansal had sold Myntra to Flipkart.

Harinder Sidhu appointed as new Australian High Commissioner to India

Indian-origin Harinder Sidhu appointed as the country’s next Australian High Commissioner to India.

About Harinder Sidhu :

• Sindhu, a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, has been also serving as First Assistant Secretary of the Multilateral Policy Division.
• She has previously served overseas in Moscow and Damascus

Key points:

• Australia Capital: Canberra
• Australia Currency: Dollar
• Australia PM: Malcolm Turnbull

Indian-origin lawyer Davinder Singh named vice-chairman of ICC commission

A top Indian-origin lawyer in Singapore Davinder Singh named as vice-chairman of International Chamber of Commerce Commission(ICC).

About Davinder Singh :

• Davinder Singh, 58, has been named vice-chairman of International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Commission on Corporate Responsibility and Anti-corruption.
• He is a member of parliament from 1988-2006 and chief executive of the local law firm Drew & Napier.
• He has been appointed to the leadership of one of 13 policy commissions under the ICC, which forges international rules, mechanisms and standards used across the globe.

About ICC Commission:

Paris-based International Chamber of Commerce Commission is the the private sector world business organisation with a central role in global trade and commerce. 

HeyBiz tied up with Su-Kam Power

HeyBiz has announced its association with Su-Kam Power Systems Limited to digitise its dealers and distributors network that will help in connecting with local customers.

Highlights:

• The collaboration will enable HeyBiz users chat and discuss with Su-Kam Experts or local dealers and get insight on product details, prices and dealers’ location throughout the country.
• Users can also schedule a service on real time chat with ease and convenience.

NRDC inks MOU with Indian Institute of Chemical Biology to Promote Entrepreneurship

The National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) had signed Memorandum of Understand (MOU) with Indian Institute of Chemical Biology to promote entrepreneurship.

• Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (IICB), Kolkata is engaged in Research on diseases and certain biological problems of global interest is under the observation of CSIR Indian Institute of Chemical
• It will establish Translational Research Unit of Excellence (TRUE) including an Incubation Centre of 10,000 sq. ft
• The MOU was signed will help in research getting translated into viable products.