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INDIAN AFFAIRS
NaMo initiated “Make in India” week In “Financial Capital”
In a bid to make Indian economy as a global manufacturing hub, PM Narendra Modi instigated“Make In India” Week at MMRDA ground in Mumbai. The Make in India week will conclude on 18 February.
- During the inauguration of biggest business expo PM Modi was joined by the Prime Minister of Sweden Stefan Lofven, Prime Minister of Finland Juha Sipila and other dignitaries at the centre.
- Participants – Dignitaries from 49 countries and Businesses from 68 countries
This flagship event will escalate Make in India initiative and to showcase to the world the achievements of the nation in the manufacturing sector.
BHU turns 100 years & set to honour PM Modi with Doctor of Law
Established in 1916 by freedom fighter Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, Banaras Hindu University (BHU) has completed its 100 years of foundation on 13th February 2016.
- BHU had played an important role in the freedom movement of India.
- It was aimed to act as a bridge between India’s past and modernising world system in the areas of social sciences, humanities particularly in evolving non-colonial history as a discipline.
Peacock, India’s National Bird, Could Be Termed Vermin In Goa
The national bird of India Peacock will be termed a vermin and collected in Goa.
- They cause brutal damage to crops like monkey and wild boars and therefore declared Vermin.
- Peacock is a protected species under the Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
- The step is taken after compiling the record of the complaints received from farmers of crop destruction by these animals,
Keys
- Agriculture Minister of Goa – Ramesh Tawadkar
Jayalalithaa announces ‘Amma Kudineer Thittam’
Jayalalithaa the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu had announced ‘Amma Kudineer Thittam’ a new scheme for supplying drinking water.
- Under the Scheme the govt will supply the water to those who cannot afford to buy purified drinking water from private players.
- Under the first phase of the scheme water supplying points will be established.
- The family of poor people is provided with 20 liters of pure water every day.
- Smart cards will be issued to beneficiaries
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa unveils new projects worth Rs 1,002.02 crore
J Jayalalithaa Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu had inaugurated a series of projects worth Rs 1,002.02 crore which are taken up by Highways and Minor Ports Department.
- The project includes construction of new bridges, railway over bridges and buildings.
- Foundation stone for construction of five bridges and five railways over bridges had been laid down.
The project will help the local people and the other connected states
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
Canada, US, Mexico to cooperate on climate change
Canada, the US and Mexico had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to cooperate on climate change in Winnipeg, Canada.
- These three countries will work together and share information in key areas like low-carbon electricity, clean energy technologies, energy efficiency, carbon capture, use and storage, climate change adaptation, and reducing emissions from the oil and gas sector.
Australian Prime Minister announces Cabinet reshuffle
Malcolm Turnbull the Australian Prime Minister had been announced a cabinet reshuffle after the departure of five ministers in five months.
- The reshuffle is due to the retirement of two senior ministers and three others left in the wake of separate political scandals.
These five ministers are
- Stuart Robert the Veterans affairs minister
- Mal Brough Special minister of state
- Peter Slipper former parliamentary speaker
- Jamie Briggs minister of Cities
- Barnaby Joyce Agriculture Minister
Colorado state honors life of Gandhi
US state of Colorado had honored the life of Mahatma Gandhi.
- Colorado State honored Gandhi for dedicating his whole life for the sake of country.
- Gandhi was one of the biggest freedom fighter of his era.
- He supported nonviolence and peaceful methods for freedom.
- Some of the freedom moments led by Gandhi are Civil disobedience moment, Dandi Salt March, Quit India moment, Champaran and Kheda Satyagraha, Khilafat movement, Non-cooperation movement.
BANKING & FINANCE
BoB exhibited Highest Ever Loss by a PSB
Vadodara headquarter Bank of Baroda publicized its net loss of Rs 3,342 crore for the December quarter in comparison with Rs 332 crore profit last year. It is considered as thehighest-ever quarterly loss by an Indian bank.
- The reason behind this huge loss is the provisions against bad loans which have jumped to Rs 6,164 crore against Rs 1,262 last year and increase in NPA percentage to 9.68% from 3.85%.
BUSINESS
Mahindra & Mahindra board approves plan to transfer agri-business to its subsidiary
The board of directors of Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd (M&M) had approved a plan to transfer the agri-business of the company to its subsidiary.
- Mahindra Shubhlabh Services Ltd (MSSL) is its 100% Subsidiary.
- This plan will enable the focus of organization on the agri business.
- The agri-business covers crop care, seeds, seed potato, pulses, edible oil, grapes, dairy products and micro irrigation.
Keys
- Executive Director of Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) – Pawan Goenka
- Chairman of Mahindra Group – Anand Mahindra
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
Vidya Balan receives Pride of Kerala award
The 38-year-old Bollywood actress Vidya Balan has been awarded with the ‘Pride of Kerala’ award by the World Malayalee Council and Kairali TV.
- The National award-winning actress has starred in films like “Parineeta”, “Paa”, “No One Killed Jessica”, “The Dirty Picture” and “Kahaani”.
Awards :
- National Film Award for Best Actressfor The Dirty Picture (2011)
- Five Filmfare Awards:Best Female Debut for Parineeta (2005) Best Actress for Paa (2009),The Dirty Picture (2011) and Kahaani (2012) and Critics Award for Best Actress for Ishqiya (2010).
- Padma Shri Award in 2014
APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNS
TERI asks RK Pachauri to go on indefinite leave, Ashok Chawla appointed new chairman.
The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) board had sent its Executive Vice Chairman Dr RK Pachauri on indefinite leave and had been appointed former finance secretary Ashok Chawla as its new chairman.
- The TERI council also inducted Ajay Mathur as the new Director General, he will operate with full executive powers
- The leave to Dr RK Pachauri is given due to the multiple sexual harassment charges on him.
Air Vice Marshal Rajiv Dayal Mathur elevated to Air Marshal rank
Assistant Chief of Air Staff in charge of the air warfare strategy cell Air Vice Marshal Rajiv Dayal Mathur has been promoted to the rank of Air Marshal.
About Air Vice Marshal Rajiv Dayal Mathur :
- Commissioned into the fighter stream ofIndian Air Force in June, 1982, the officer has over 5,000 hours of flying experience in a variety of operational and training roles.
- Apart from the air warfare strategy cell, Mathur also led its space and cyber wings.
- He had earlier served as Air Defence Commander of Eastern Air Command and commanded a front-line air force station and a fighter aircraft squadron.
- He had been awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal in 2003 and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2014
ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS
YouTube acquires BandPage for $8 million
Google owned YouTube had acquired BandPage for $8 million. BandPage is delivering photos and band info for more than 500,000 artists.
- BandPage was founded in 2009 with a startup of $27.6 million.
- BandPageis a music based application that allows artists to create customized fanpages within Facebook.
- It is expected after the acquisition YouTube will provide a friendlier environment to the artists.
Keys
- CEO of YouTube- Susan Wojcicki
- Headquarters of YouTube- San Bruno, California, United States
- Headquarters of Band Page- San Francisco, California, United States
- CEO Band Page James Sider
Time acquires Myspace, creates 2004’s most fearsome media giant
Time Inc. had acquired the social networking ghost town Myspace, by taking ownership of Myspace as part of a larger acquisition of parent company Viant.
- Viant is an advertising and data analytic firm with access to over 1.2 billion registered users,
- It had acquired Myspace from News Corp in 2011.
- Acquisition money is not disclosed yet.
Keys
- Chairman and CEO of Time Inc. – Joe Ripp
Android app MyShake’ turns phones into an earthquake detector
Smartphones app ‘MyShake’ turns the Android phones into an earthquake detector.
- The app uses the motion sensors on phone to determine the earthquake.
- This app will help the user to get accurate warning and it also records the type of earthquake.
- It will also suggest the user what to do during that situation.
- It can be used simply by installing it in the smartphones and allowing the use of Accelerometer in the phone.
ENVIORNMENT
Neem extract may help treat Pancreatic Cancer: Study
According to a new survey conducted by the scientist a compound found in Neem leaves may help to treat pancreatic cancer without harming healthy cells
- Nimbolide can stop pancreatic cancer’s growth and metastasis without harming normal healthy cells
- It is able to reduce the relocation and offensive potential of pancreatic cancer cells by 70 percent.
- Nimbolide study was carried out by scientists from the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso (TTUHSC El Paso).
OBITUARY
Padma Vibhushan awardee O N V Kurup passes away
Padma Vibhushan awardee, eminent Malayalam poet, lyricist, professor and environmentalist O N V Kurup passed away due to cardiac arrest. He was 84.
- He was one of the leading lyricists in Malayalam film, drama and album industry and also the much respected teacher of Malayalam literature.
