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INDIAN AFFAIRS
PM Modi felicitates families of freedom fighters in Odisha
On April 16, 2017 Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. He felicitated the family members of 16 freedom fighters who were martyred during the Paika Rebellion.
i. While interacting with descendants of freedom fighters, PM Modi mentioned that sacrifices made by their ancestor will be recognised by Govt. in 2022 when India completes 75 years of Independence.
ii. He announced that Government will set up virtual museums at 50 places in the country to display the valour and remember the contributions of tribal communities.
Assam Celebrates Rongali Bihu
According to Assamese Calendar Rongali Bihu celebrates on the month of April which usually falls on 13th and 14th of April.The first day known as Goru Bihu that is purely dedicated to cattle.
i. The Rongali Bihu marks the agricultural New Year and is celebrated as a festival of Prosperity.
ii. The Kati Bihu marks the completion of sowing and transplanting of paddies.
iii. The Magh Bihu marks the end of harvesting period.
iv. In this festival People in different parts of states took their cattle to the ponds and rivers where they gave a formal bath and rubbed their bodies with ‘dighalati pat’ (the leaf of a plant having medicinal value) which take away the flies and insects.People also worshipped and pray for the better health of their animals.
v. On the Second day people put on new clothes and sing and dance that is called Manhu Bihu.“Bihuwan” known as traditional Assamese towel is exchanged as a mark of respect.
About Assam:
♦ Capital: Dispur
♦ CM : Sarbananda Sonowal
♦ Governor: Banwarilal Purohit
Punjab CM bans names of Minister MLAs on inaugural stones
Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh announced the prohibition of the names of any Ministers, MLAs on the foundation stone.
i. This was done because the cabinet minister Sadhu Singh Dharmasot threatened a school principal for suspending him from school in finding his name was third on the inaugural stone as minister wanted his name on the top of the inaugural stone.
ii. All the schemes that are announced by the CM or any other minister, MLAs and other officials from now would be dedicated to the people of Punjab.
Keys :
♦ Punjab CM: Captain Amarider Singh
♦ Punjab Governor: V.P. Singh Badnore
♦ Punjab capital: Chandigarh
♦ Official Language: Punjabi
ASCI releases guidelines for celebrities in Advertising
ASCI (Advertising Standards Council of India) have released a set of guidelines for celebrities.
Major Points:
i. As per the guidelines Celebrities who endorse for the advertisements should take care of that the advertisements should not be misleading and deceptive.
ii. It is the responsibility of the advertiser and advertising agency to make sure that celebrities are aware about the ASCI guidelines.
iii. Celebrities should not endorse those advertisements which by law require a Health warning.
iv. ASCI have barred celebrities to endorse products that are prohibited under The Drugs and Magic remedies Act and the drug and Cosmetic Act.
ASCI:
♦ ASCI is a self-regulatory, voluntary and non-governmental body of the advertising industry.
♦ It was founded in 1985.
♦ Aim- To build the trust among public in advertising and ensure that all the advertisement are truthful, honest fair and decent.
Bhopal to have India’s first privately run Railway station
For the first time in Indian Railway’s history Habibganj station in Bhopal has been handed over to Private firm to be operated by it.
Key Points:
i. The station building will be developed in line with airport terminals but trains at the station will be run by the Railways.
ii. During 2016-2017 Rs 10,181 crore was earned by Indian railways which Indian railway want to increase to Rs 14000 crore to this fiscal year.
iii. Indian railways allowing brands to sponsor who trains, inner walls and the outer surface of coaches and this plan is now approved.
iv. A Railway official has given 2 examples Train named Paytm express and SavlonSwachh Bharat express which would be soon running in this fiscal year.
Keys :
♦ Railway Minister – Suresh Prabhu
♦ Constituency- Mumbai Maharastra
BRICS special envoys on Middle-East meet held in Vishakhapatnam
A two-day meeting of BRICS special envoys on Middle-East was held in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh on 11th and 12th April 2017. This was the second such meeting of BRICS envoys on Middle-East.
Key issues that were discussed:
i. Discussions revolved around military-political situation in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Libya and 
prospects for a Palestinian-Israeli settlement.
ii. Envoys expressed concern over unabated terrorism, ISIS and role of technology, and luring of innocent youth through Twitter, Facebook and other micro-blogging sites.
iii. Status of implementation of the UN Security Council resolutions to check terrorism was also discussed.
iv. Acronym BRICS refers to the five emerging economies – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
Maharashtra to stage special drive for transgenders to register as voters for the first time
Maharashtra has become the first state to launch a special awareness drive to ensure that transgenders in the state register as voters in larger numbers. On April 15, 2017, the state branch of the Election Commission of India (ECI) launched a special drive for this purpose.
i. It is to be noted that 15th April is celebrated as ‘Third Gender Day’ to commemorate Supreme Court judgement in 2014 to recognise transgenders as ‘Thrd Gender’.
ii. Maharashtra is home to more than 10 lakh third genders. As per ECI data only 1700 are registered voters.
Measures taken by ECI:
♦ The ECI has prepared a two-and-a-half-minute film, slated to run in 400 theatres four times a day over the next week.
♦ The commission has also put up posters on two 12-rake locals asking transgenders to register as voters.
BUSINESS
MOU Signed Between NSFDC Development Commissioner Handloom
The MOU has signed between NSFDC and the Development Commissioner (Handlooms).
Key Points:
i. The main objective of signing this MOU is to help and promote production and marketing of high value quality Handlooms products among Scheduled class weavers.
ii. Handloom sector is the second largest activity after agriculture and it is a part of Textile Industry.
iii. There are around 44 lakh Handlooms weavers in the country and out of which 3.90 lakhs are Schedule caste weavers.
iv. Under this MOU the parties will popularize the schemes through advertising and create awareness among people.
v. Both the parties will also organize skill development programmes for Schedule caste weavers so that schedule caste weavers will get support and they can enhance their skills.
vi. MOU was signed in the presence of Shri Thaawarch and Gehlot and Smt Smriti ZubinIrani.
Indian Academy Of Highway engineers signs MoU with university of New South Wales
A MoU has signed between the Indian academy of Highway Engineers and the University of New South Wales, Australia
Key Points:
i. The agreement is signed to bring the innovation in the transportation sector.
ii. It seeks to start up a Centre of Excellence in Smart Transportation in India.
iii. It is signed between the director of IAHE VL Patankar and Vice chancellor of UNSW in presence of Simon Birmingham Australian Minister of Education.
iv. The objective of this MoU is to bring a new transportation technology
and explore market opportunities for India and Australia.
v. It will include research, development and training in the areas of transport system.
vi. It is to be the World’s first transportation centre which brings innovation in technology for economic development.
Australia :
♦ Capital: Canberra
♦ Currency: Australian dollar
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
Indian Engineer Tirupati Jain Wins ‘Cartier Women’s Initiative Award’
Tirupati Jain is an environmental enginner who won a Cartier Women’s Initiative Award.She has chosen by an Independent International Jury.The Awardee will receive $100000 prize money.
i. Tirupati has given this award for providing innovative solutions of water management to the women those working on farms and small farmers against drought and flash floods.
ii. She is the winner from a pool of 1900 applicants and from over 120 countries.
iii. She is an government employee and works for the rural development.
iv. Her Gujrat based company has implemented 232 systems in India which benefitted 18000 small farmers and 100000 of the rural poor people.
v. The ceremony was held in France.This ceremony began in 2006 and its initiative is to support women entrepreneurs around the world who want to start up their business.
vi. Five other winners representing latin America, North Amrica, Europe, Middle east, Sub Saharan Africa were honoured at the awards ceremony.
vii. The event is held in association with International Business School Insead and Management consulting firm McKinsey & Company.
viii. Founder of this award is Sara- Kristina hanning Nour
ix. The Theme of this year is “Transform, Lead the change you want to see”
Hanchinal receives 6th M.S. Swaminathan Award
The 6th edition of M.S. Swaminathan Award for honouring outstanding contribution in the field of agriculture has been given to Rayappa Ramappa Hanchinal – Chairperson of Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights Authority.
i. This award has been given to Dr. Hanchinal for his contributions and continuous efforts in areas of seed production technology, crop improvement for hot and very hot dry environments and intellectual protection rights in plant varieties.
ii. The Award was presented by C. Parthasarathy – Secretary, Agriculture and Cooperation, Government of Telangana, and M. Prabhakar Rao – CMD of Nuziveedu Seeds Ltd (NSL), on April 14, 2017 at a function in Hyderabad.
Shah Rukh Khan honoured at San Francisco Film Festival
Bollywood Superstar Shah Rukh Khan was honoured with a tribute at the ongoing 60th 
San Francisco International Film Festival (SFIFF) in USA
i. He engaged in a conversation with American filmmaker Brett Ratner, which was live-streamed on Twitter. Shah Rukh Khan’s film ‘My Name Is Khan’ was also screened at the festival.
ii. The SFIFF is organized every year for two weeks where about 200 films from over 50 countries are screened. It is organised by San Francisco Film Society.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
US conducts successful field test of new B61-12 nuclear bomb
The National Nuclear security Administration (NNSA) and US Air force have conducted a test of a modification of the B61 atomic bomb.
B61-12 bomb was tested without a nuclear warhead.
The Bomb was dropped from the F-16 fighter bomber on the Nellis test site, Nevada.
ii. It was conducted to extend the B61’s operational life by upgrading its nuclear and non- nuclear components and to improve the reliability of its security systems.
iii. It was the first test of the B61-12 with the usage of the F-16.
USA :
♦ US capital- Washington D.C.
♦ US President- Donald Trump
♦ US currency – US Dollar
NASA finds evidence of Hydothermal Vents on Saturn’s moon Enceladus
NASA’s Cassini spacecraft has detected gases on Enceladus and some earth- based bacteria are founded.
i. Enceladus is an icy moon of Saturn which hides an ocean and sprays water into space.
ii. It is the latest discovery by Cassini which is a spacecraft that is exploring Saturn its moons and rings from past 13 years.
iii. It also found that the level of gases like carbon dioxide, hydrogen and methane were imbalance which provide an energy source to organisms.
iv. The tidal forces of Saturn appear to generate so much heat that it can melt the ice easily.
v. It is also found from study that there is a pool of water near the south pole of Enceladus to generate the plumes.A global ocean also lies beneath the moon’s ice.
About Saturn
♦ Saturn is a sixth planet of our solar system.
♦ Its radius is about nine times that of Earth.
♦ Saturn interior is composed of a core of Iron, Nickel and rock.
♦ It has 9 main rings that is mostly composed of ice particles with a smaller amount of rocky debris and dust.
Google launches Areo, a food delivery and home services app for India
Google has launched a new food delivery and home services App called Areo for the Indian market.It allows user to order food or scheduled appointments with a local beautician, plumber, and painter, cleaner.
i. It is currently operated in Bangalore and Mumbai.
ii. Google has signed up with local partners like Urban Clap for home services and Faasos, box8 and Freshmenu for food services.
iii. This app will offer thousands of offer in one go so it makes life easier for Indian people.
iv. It charges the commission between 5-15% on each order placed.
Google:
♦ Google CEO – SundarPichai
♦ HQ- California USA
♦ Founded – July 2004
SPORTS
Sai Praneeth Wins Singapore Open badminton
Sai Praneeth has won the Men’s Single at Singapore Open Badminton championship. Srikanth is the first Indian to won a Superseries title after defeating K Srikanth in Singapore
i. For the first time in history of the game the two Indians will clash for the title in Super Series event.
ii. It was organized by the Singapore Badminton Association.
iii. Saipraneeth was born on 10th august 1992 in Andhra Pradesh.
iv. He is a male Indian badminton player from Hyderabad Telangana.
OBITUARY
Computer pioneer Robert W. Taylor dies at 85 in California
American computer scientist Robert W. Taylor, who is regarded as a pioneer in internet and modern personal computer, passed away on April 13, 2017 in California, US. He was 85 and was suffering from Parkinson’s disease.
i. In 1961, Robert Taylor was a project manager for National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). At this time he directed funding to Douglas Engelbart at the Stanford Research Institute, who is credited with the development of the modern computer mouse.
ii. In 1966, when Taylor worked for the Pentagon, he oversaw the creation of ARPANET – (single computer communications network).
Italian Emma Morano last known survivor of 19th Century dies
Emma Morano who is an Italian woman and the last survivor of the 19th Century died at the age of 117.
Key Points:
i. Emma was born on 29th 1899 in northern Italy.
ii. According to Gerontology Research Group (GRG) the oldest person after Morano is Violet 
Brown a Jamaican woman who turned 117 on March 10 the crown of the world’s oldest human being.
iii. Her secret of long life is to eat 2 raw eggs every day.
iv. She lived through 2 world wars, the Great depression, 10 pontiffs, and 90 separate Italian governments.
Former Bihar minister Narsingh Baitha is dead
Former Bihar Minister Narsingh Baitha died in Patna after prolonged illness. He was 100 years old and is survived by a son and five daughters. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced that his cremation would take place with state honour.
Narsingh Baitha’s Public Life:
i. Baitha was elected MLA for three times from Bagha reserved seat since 1962.
ii. Later, he represented Sikarpur reserved seat in West Champaran in the state Legislative Assembly in 1985.
iii. He was minister in Congress government headed by Daroga Prasad Rai and Jagannath Mishra.
iv. Baitha was also a member of SC & ST Commission.
BOOKS & AUTHORS
Arjun Gaind launches His Book ‘Building the land of five rivers’
The author Arjun Gaind launched his book on Punjab, Building the land of five rivers. On 
the occasion of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu a panel has organized a discussion in which there is a discussion of Punjab’s history, heritage, culture and growth.
About Arjun Gaind:
i. Arjun is one of the India’s best seller comic book writers.
ii. He is the creator and author of the bestselling graphic novels.
