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INDIAN AFFAIRS
Suresh Prabhu flags off trial run of “Vistadome Coaches”
Suresh Prabhu flagged off the trial run of new glass roof coaches of Vistadome between Visakhapatnam and Arakuon on April 16, 2017
i. These coaches are specially designed for wide view to passengers.
ii. Cost of these coaches is Rs 4 crore for 4 coaches.
iii. It is equipped with LED lights, rotatable seats and GPS based information system.
iv. The coaches include Lounge, infotainment system, wide side door for physically disable and automatic sliding compartment door.
v. The feature of glass roof is it has electronically controlled opalescence that will give a transparent outside view.
vi. It will give scenic beauty to foreigners at destination as well along with the journey.
vii. The 2 coaches will run on the Vizag-Araku route while 2 will be sent to Jammu And Kashmir
Telangana passes bill to hike reservations for Muslim and STs
The Telangana legislature has passed the bill to hike reservation for Muslim and STs
Key Points:
i. Under this bill the reservation for socially backward people and Muslim people has been increased.
ii. For Muslim 4% to 12% increment and for Scheduled tribes 6% to 10%.
iii. It includes total quotas in government jobs and educational institutions.
iv. The total quota in the state now increase to 62%
v. The bill will be included in the 9th schedule of the constitution.
vi. The reservation of SC constitutes 16.3% of the state population.
About Telangana:
♦ Capital- Hyderbad
♦ CM- K Chandrashekar Rao
♦ Governor- E.S.L. Narasimhan
♦ Official language- Telgu
President Pranab Mukherjee inaugurates Kempegowda festival in Delhi
President Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the Kempegowda Festival in Delhi.
i. This foundation was founded on 17th April 2016.
ii. The festival is organized by the Ndaprabhu Kempegowda foundation.
iii. He mentioned kempe Gowda was a “just and humane”ruler of Vijaynagara Empire.
iv. This foundation is working towards popularizing the legendary King and his works.
New Delhi :
♦ Delhi CM- Arvind Kejriwal
♦ Delhi Lieutenant Governor: Anil Bajaj
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
Philippine President Duterte wins TIME 100 Reader Poll
Rodrigo Duterte, the President of Philippines has won this year’s TIME magazine’s Readers’ Poll of the 100 most influential people in the world. Duterte received 5% of total ‘YES’ votes. He maintained the lead, right from the beginning of the poll. TIME 100 Reader’s Poll closed on April 16, 2017.
i. Rodrigo Duterte is the 16th President of Philippines. On assuming charge in June 2016, he started a violent and aggressive anti-drug campaign which has claimed more than 8000 lives so far
ii. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also named as a probable contender in this year’s Reader’s Poll, but he did not receive any YES votes. US Democratic Presidential nominee Bernie Sanders had won the TIME 100 Reader’s Poll in 2016.
Erdogan wins Turkey referendum as opposition cries foul
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan won a historic referendum on Sunday in the biggest overhaul of modern Turkish politics and the opposition not satisfied about the result.
i. Turkey’s mainly Kurdish southeast and its three main cities, including the capital Ankara and the largest city Istanbul, put “No” after a bitter and divisive movement.
ii. The ruling system has been changing through civil politics for the first time in the history of the Republic. The ‘Yes’ campaign won 51.4 percent of the vote against 48.6 percent for ‘No’.
iii. This victory will replace Turkey’s parliamentary system with an all-powerful presidency like ruled by one man (i.e) under president and abolish the office of prime minister.
iv. But opposition Republican People s Party (CHP) chief Kemal Kilicdaroglu showed dissatisfaction about the result and challenge the outcome.
Turkey :
♦ Capital: Ankara
♦ Currency: Turkish lira
Nepal and China to Conduct Sagarmatha Friendship
First ever Joint military exercise begin between Nepal and China named Sagarmatha Frienship 2017 in Kathmandu
Major Points:
i. It will be conducted from 17th April to 23rd 2017. The exercise will be taking place at the Maharajgunj based training school.
ii. Sagarmatha is the Nepali name for Mount Everest which stands in between both the countries.
iii. It’s mainly focus on combining terror activities and disaster management.
iv. DGMO of Nepal Army General Binod Kumar Shrestha inaugurated the exercise.
v. The Joint training will prove to be a great platform to learn and share knowledge and experiences with each other.
BANKING & FINANCE
India’s Economy will grow by 7.2% in 2017-2018 predicts World Bank
World Bank predicts India’s gross domestic product (GDP) to 7.2% in the 2017-2018 from 6.8% in this fiscal year.Title of the World Bank report is “Globalization Backlash”.
i. According to Globalization Backlash India’s economic growth will rise to 7.7% in 2019-2020.
ii. Exports to grow by 6% in the coming year.
iii. Inflation to grow by 5.2% in 2017-2018 and 5.4% in 2018-2019
Finance Ministry approves 8.65% interest rate on EPF
EPFO( Employess Provident fund Organisation) has decided to reduce the interest rate on Provident Fund Deposits to 65% from 8.8%.
Key Points:
i. It has been done because RBI has cut their lending rates and banks have reduced their deposit rates.
ii. Loyalty cum benefit would be provided to all subscribers who have contributed to the scheme for 20 years or more on retirement.
iii. Around 17 crore subscribers’ accounts will be updated with this interest rate.
iv. It was approved by the EPFO apex body , Central Board Of Trustees headed by the Bandaru Dattatreya (Labour Minister)
v. The Retirement fund body was holding on Rs 409 crore surplus after providing 8.8% rate of interest for 2015-2016.
About EPFO:
EPFO is an organization to assist the Central board of Trustees.
♦ It is a statutory body formed by the Employees Provident Fund and miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952.
♦ Founded- 4th March 1952
♦ HQ – New Delhi
Current account deficit to widen to 1.6% from 0.5% of GDP : Nomura
India’s Current Account Deficit is expected to grow by 1.6% from 0.5% in this fiscal year.
Key Points:
i. Overall the stonger global demand and higher export prices are key factor of the exports recovery.
ii. FDI inflows around 2% of GDP.
iii. According to Japanese Financial services Nomura exports and global demand will likely to increase and in imports reflects higher commodity prices and likely to improve in the near future.
iv. The major reason of strengthening Indian economy is the appreciation of the Indian rupee.
v. The difference between the value of Imports of Goods, services and investment incomes with that of exports increased to $7.9 billion or 1.4% of GDP.
vi. The rupee is currently around the 64 level mark against the dollar.
vii. Main risk of to the external sector are sharp rise in oil prices and rising of the imposing of import duty by US
BUSINESS
BHEL commission 2 units of Rattan India Project
BHEL (Bharat heavy electrical ltd.) has commissioned 2 units of 270 MW at Rattan India Nashik Power ltd.
Key Points:
i. This is the project of 270 MW unit commissioned by BHEL in Phase-1 of the project.
ii. The 5*270 MW Thermal Power project located at Sinnar in Nashik district of Maharashtra.
iii. BHEL has commissioned 8 sets for Rattan India in Maharashtra 3 sets will be at Nashik and 5 sets at Amravati
iv. The fifth phase project of 270 MW will also be in completion stage.
v. BHEL is a market leader in the Indian Power sector.
About BHEL:
♦ Founded – 1953
♦ HQ- New Delhi
♦ Chairman & MD – B. Prasad Rao
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Prakash Javadekar launches own portal and mobile app of RUSA
Union HRD Minister Mr. Prakash Javadekar launched a portal and a mobile app of Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) in New Delhi. 12 State Education Ministers, Department Secretaries and RUSA Nodal officers were also present on the launch occasion.
i. He also released the Booklet “Digital Launch of Projects; Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA)”
ii. Total 17 RUSA projects were launched digitally on April 17, 2017.
SPORTS
Sebastian Vettel beats Lewis Hamilton in Baharain Grand Prix
Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) won a Baharain Grand Prix by defeating Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes).It was held at Baharain International circuit Baharain.
i. Sebastian Vettel gives 7 point lead over Hamilton in the championship.
ii. It was Sebastian 3rd victory in Bahrain and the 44th of his career.
iii. Sebastian Vettel belongs from Germany.
Pullela Gopichand’s daughter Gayatri wins twin crown in Jakarta
Pullela Gopichand a National Badminton coach daughter has won both single and double 
crown at the Pembangunan Jaya Raya Junior Grand Prix in Jakarta on 16th of April, 2017
i. Gayatri teamed up with Samiya in doubles title and win over Indonesian players of Kelly Larissa and Shelandry Vyola.
ii. Gayatri and Samiya both trained at the Pullela Gopichand Academy Hyderabad.
iii. She has won Under-15 doubles title.
