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INDIAN AFFAIRS
TRAI issued Prohibition of Discriminatory Tariffs for Data Services Regulations, 2016
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India(TRAI) had issued the ‘Prohibition of Discriminatory Tariffs for Data Services Regulations, 2016’.
- The act will prohibit the service providers to charge unfair taxes for data services on the basis of content used by a consumer.
- The aim of the Regulations is to ensure that consumers get an unobstructed and non-discriminatory access to the internet.
India, US sign agreement to improve systems at DGCA
India and US had signed an agreement to improve the system at Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The agreement is signed by India’s DGCA and United States Technical Development Agency (USTDA) for India Aviation Safety Technical Assistance Phase II in New Delhi.
- USTDA will fund $808, 32, to improve systems at the DGCA.
Mumbai set to get India’s first international arbitration centre
The state government of Mumbai plans to set up India’s first international arbitration centre as a forward of the Make in India framework.
- The centre will prove to be a big step forward in realizing the transformation of Mumbai into an international financial centre
- Mumbai Centre for International Arbitration (MCIA) will help in attracting higher global investments to Maharashtra.
Keys
- Chief Minister of Maharashtra– Devendra Fadnavis
Chhattisgarh govt launches Udyam Aakansha scheme to promote SMEs
Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh has launched ‘Udyam Aakansha’ Scheme for promoting micro, small and medium enterprises in the state.
Objective: To promoting the ease of doing business.
About Udyam Aakansha scheme:
- The Udyam Aakansha scheme would facilitate free online registration and self-certification to the investors interested in investment on micro, small and medium enterprises and service businesses.
- The investors can enroll themselves online through website of the Industries department which will be based on self-certification process.
- For the online registration, investors need not submit any documents nor have to pay any fee.
Key points :
- Chhattisgarh Capital: Raipur
- Chhattisgarh CM: Raman Singh
- Chhattisgarh Governor : Ram Naresh Yadav
Vasundhara Raje launches ‘school on wheels’ for nomadic, tribal children
- Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje launched the mobile ‘library-cum-school on wheels’.It was set up by an NGO, Tabar Society.
Aim: To spread awareness about education among the nomadic and tribal children.
About SOW :
- The van will move around in Jaipur district, including villages of Luniawas and Goner area.
- It will raise awareness among the nomadic children, especially from ‘Gardiya Lohar‘ and ‘Ghumantu‘ community (nomads), by exhibiting short audio/videos inspiring stories using a projector, Paliwal.
Key points :
- Tabar Society’s secretary: Ramesh Paliwal
- Raajasthan CM: Vasundhara Raje
- Rajasthan Governor: Kalyan Singh
- Rajasthan Capital: Jaipur
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
France became first country in the world to forbid food waste by supermarkets
France had become the first country in the world to ban food waste by supermarkets.
- The French governing body had passed the law that supermarkets will no longer hold good quality food before its expiry date.
- The objective of the law is to reduce the wastage of the food and to provide meal to the poor people.
Keys
- Capital of France– Paris
- Currency of France– Euro, CFP franc
- Prime Minister of France– Manuel Valls
Pak approves Hindu Marriage Bill
Pakistan Hindu minority community will soon have a marriage law as a parliamentary panel has unanimously approved the Hindu Marriage Bill after decades of delay and in action.The National Assembly Standing Committee on Law and Justice passed the final draft of Hindu Marriage Bill 2015.
- Committee Chairman Chaudhry Mahmood Bashir Virk adopted the bill unanimously after making two amendments to fix the minimum age of the marrying male and female at 18 and making the law applicable to the whole country.
- Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have passed the requisite resolutions, but the Sindh and Punjab assemblies have not yet done so.
Key points:
- Pakistan Capital : Islamabad
- Pakistan Currency : Pakistani Rupee
- Pakistan PM: Nawaz Sharif
BANKING & FINANCE
Bandhan Bank initiated Visa Debit Card & NRI Services
Started with an offering of only RuPay card, now Kolkata headquartered Bandhan Bank has instigated an international debit card in association with Visa. It has also kicked off NRI banking services.
- The debit card service will be available worldwide but bank would offer NRI services only at select branches.
Corp Bank inks pact for insurance cover
Corporation Bank had signed a pact with Universal Sompo General Insurance Co Ltd for insurance cover
- The bank will provide free personal accident death cover of Rs 10 lakh to its Corp Signature and Rs 5 lakh to its Corp Super account holders of Saving Bank Account holders.
Keys
- Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Corporation Bank- Jai Kumar Garg
- General Manager, Corporation Bank – D V Subramanya Varma
BUSINESS
Chettinad Cotton Saree gets Indian Handloom tag
The Chettinad cotton saree had won the ‘India Handloom’ tag for its unique designs and identity.
- The Chettinad cotton saree is registered under the India Handloom Brand Scheme by Union Ministry of Handlooms and Textiles, Mumbai
- The Handloom tag was conferred in the India Handloom Brand Scheme after checking its various quality parameters stipulated by the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
- The Chettinad sarees are very in style in North Indian states of India.
IRCTC partners with Chaayos to provide tea and snacks in trains
Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) tie up with a leading tea cafe chain Chaayos to provide tea and snacks in trains.
Keyfacts about partnership:
- Initially, the collaboration is for all trains at New Delhi station, and will soon be extended to other stations across Delhi and Mumbai.
- Passengers will have to order their tea two hours ahead of the train’s arrival time, which can be made on www.Ecatering.Irctc.Co.In or calling a toll-free number (1800-1034-139).
- IRCTC has also launched a mobile app through which orders can be placed.
Key points :
- IRCTC CEO:K. Manocha
- Chaayos CEO: Nitin
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
“UNESCO Medals” for contributions in Nanoscience and Nanotechnologies
UNESCO Medals has been conferred upon the 8 eminent scientists to recognize their contribution in the development of nanoscience and nanotechnologies, at an event held inParis.
- Russia has made a big win to the development of nanoscience and nanotechnologies as 4 scientists from Russian federation grabbed this award.
APPOINTMENTS
Indian-origin Singaporean, Vishal Mehta appointed as President of International Grown Diamond Association
Indian-origin Singaporean Vishal Mehta had been appointed as the President of the International Grown Diamond Association (IGDA).
- He is the CEO of a lab diamond making Singapore- based company.
- The aim of IGDA is to promote education regarding the qualities and application of the grown diamond.
- The first grown diamond (that is first man made diamond) was created in 1950.
Brij Bhushan Singh appointed as President of South Asian Wrestling Federation
Brijbhushan Sharan Singh has been appointed as the president of the South Asian Wrestling Federation.Currently he was working as the chief of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).
Other Appointments :
- Tabiur Rehman from Bangladesh was also unanimously elected secretary general.
- Chawdhury Mohd. Ajgar of Pakistan, U.H. Neville Pdmashri from Sri Lanka and Rajmohammed Ansari of Nepal were elected vice presidents.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
HCL launches IoT centre with Microsoft
HCL had launched an Internet of Things (IoT) Incubation Center with Microsoft which will be stationed at Redmond Washington, USA.
- The centre will mainly focus on two key growth areas: Industrial & Manufacturing and Life Sciences & Healthcare by the use in industrial automation, remote patient monitoring and fleet management.
- The alliance will result in new and actionable Industrial IoT solutions which are scalable, cost-effective and focused on user experience.
Keys
- Executive vice president and head of IoT Works HCL Technologies– Sukamal Banerjee.
- Corporate vice president of Microsoft– Susan Hauser
North Korea launched Kwangmyongsong-4 satellite
The North Korea had successfully launched the Kwangmyongsong-4 a communications satellite into space.
- North Korea is banned under UN permit from using any ballistic missile technology.
- Kwangmyongsong-4 is an earth observation satellite.
- The satellite was launched to celebrate the 74th birthday of late leaderKim Jong-il.
- It has measuring and communications equipment for earth observation.
Keys
- Capital of North Korea– Pyongyang
- Currency of North Korea– North Korean won
- President of North Korea- Kim Jong-un
ENVIRONMENT
UN exhorted maiden Gas Emissions Standards for Planes
The first global greenhouse gas emissions standard for aircraft has been recommended by United Nations panel. It will applicable to most airliners and cargo planes including designs already in production.
- The draft rule has been released by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
CPCB’s National AQI: Delhi is not the Pollution Capital
National pollution watchdog “Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB)” has released its latest report “National Air Quality Indices (AQI)” on the comparison of pollution levels among 24 Indian cities in the month of January 2016. The comparison has been shown with a colour code and a numerical value.
- In accordance with the report, interestingly, Delhi is not the pollution capital of India but still it has been ranked with “very poor” score of 362.
Storm Imogen lashed parts of Britain
Parts of southern Britain have been lashed by heavy rain and winds of up to 96 mph after storm Imogen swept .
- MET department issued a yellow warning with an amber warning “be prepared” for Wales, south-west England, London and south-east England and says coastal areas could see giant waves and localised flooding.
Effect of Storm Imogen :
- The sea state could reach “phenomenal” the highest level on the World Meteorological Scale at times around the western coasts, with waves of more than 14m possible.
- More than 5,000 homes are without power in south-West England, south and mid-Wales and the Midlands.
- The storm also disrupted the Rail services, some cross-Channel ferries were cancelled and drivers urged to take extra care.
SPORTS
New Zealand cricketer Brendon Barrie McCullum retired from One-Day Internationals
New Zealand captain Brendon Barrie McCullum had been retired from all forms of international cricket in February.
- He was born on 27, 1981 in Dunedin, Otago and hails.
- He started his career at the age of 20 as a one day international batsman against Australia.
- He had scored 6,273 test runs with 11 hundreds, including the only triple century by a New Zealand batsman, and 31 half-centuries at an average of 38.48. His highest test score is 302 against India.
OBITUARY
Noted Urdu poet Nida Fazli passes away
The leading Urdu poets Nida Fazli had passed away due to heart attack in Mumbai. He was the famous lyricists and song composer of bollywood.
- He was an Indian Hindi and Urdu poet, lyricist and dialogue writer.
Former Prime Minister of Nepal Sushil Koirala passes away
Sushil Koirala the former Prime Minister of Nepal had passes away because of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
- He was the member of Nepali Congress General Assembly.
- He was elected as the Prime Minister of Nepal on February 10, 2014 from Banke and Chitwan constituencies in the second Constituent Assembly election of 2013.
- He had been a member of the Central Working Committee of the party since 1979.
- He was also appointed as General Secretary of party in 1996 and Vice President in 1998.
