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Important Current Affairs 2nd February 2019

National news

New Long Range Missile by Iran 
•    Iran unveiled a new cruise missile with a range of 1,300 km (800 miles).
•    Reason behind choosing the day: the Middle Eastern country displays its achievements during celebrations marking the 40th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
•    Specifications of missile:
1.    Need short time for preparedness
2.    Can fly at low altitude
•    1979 Islamic revolution :
Iran is marking the 40th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution that toppled the shah and ended centuries of monarchy in the country.


Indian embassy in US opens 24/7 hotline to assist Indian students arrested by American authorities 
•    The Indian embassy in the US has opened a 24/7 hotline to assist Indian students arrested by the American authorities for alleged immigration rules violation. As many as 129 Indians are among the 130 foreign students arrested for allegedly enroling at a fake university to remain in the US.
•    India said it is monitoring the situation arising out of detention of Indian students closely and have impressed upon the US Government the need to address the situation at the earliest.
•    Indian ambassador to US: Harsh Vardhan Shringla (He is a career diplomat and a member of the Indian Foreign Service since 1984.)


Kumbh Mela to take place on Mauni Amavasya on 4th Feb 
•    The third main holy bath Shahi Snan Parv of Mauni Amavasya at on-going Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj will be observed on Monday,4th February at Sangam.
•    Kumbh Mela: 
is a mass Hindu pilgrimage of faith madhav singh kunwargather to bathe in a sacred Kumbh Melas: the Prayagraj Kumbh Mela, Haridwar Kumbh Mela, the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha, and Ujjain Simhastha. These four fairs are held periodically at one of the following places by rotation: Allahabad (Prayagraj), Haridwar, Nashik district (Nashik and Trimbak), and Ujjain. The main festival site is located on the banks of a river: the Ganges (Ganga) at Haridwar; the confluence (Sangam) of the Ganges and the Yamuna and the invisible Sarasvati at Allahabad; the Godavari at Nashik; and the Shipra at Ujjain.

PM Narendra Modi to launch two Railway projects at Durgapur in West Bengal
•    Mr Modi  will dedicate to the nation, the Railway electrification of 294 kilometre long Andal- Sainthia-Pakur-Malda  and Khana- Sainthia Sections.
•    Advantages : 
1.    Ease of transportation of coal, 
2.    Stone chips and ballast to North and North East India
•    Durgapur:
Durgapur is the 3rd largest urban agglomeration after Kolkata and Asansol in West Bengal and happens to be the 2nd planned city in India after Chandigarh. It is the only city in Eastern India to have an operational dry dock.

National Road Safety Week to be Launched on Monday
•    Union Home Minister will inaugurate the 30th National Road Safety Week, 2019 in New Delhi on Monday, the 4th of February.
•    It will be attended by a host of school children, NGOs, and stakeholders in road safety from Government and industry.
•    A Motorcar Rally will also be flagged off on the occasion to commemorate the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
 

Environment

India has wealth of wetland ecosystems : NITI Aayog
•    2nd February is marked as World’s Wetlands day.
•    The day marks adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on 2nd February 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar on shores of the Caspian Sea.
•    The theme of this year is “Wetlands and Climate Change”.
•    The theme highlights the importance of healthy and intact wetlands to one of the most pressing challenges of climate change.
•    Speaking at an event organized to mark the occasion, NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Dr Rajiv Kumar stressed on convergence between various Ministries and also between Centre and States to save wetlands in the country.
 

National Income

To provide an assured income support to small and marginal farmers Govt. is launching Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman 
•    To provide an assured income support to the small and marginal farmers, Government is launching a historic programme namely “Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)”.
•    Specifications of Scheme:
Under this programme, vulnerable landholding farmer families, having cultivable land upto 2 hectares, will be provided direct income support at the rate of Rs 6,000 per year. This income support will be transferred directly into the bank accounts of beneficiary farmers, in three equal installments of Rs 2,000 each. This programme will be funded by Government of India. Around 12 crore small and marginal farmer families are expected to benefit from this.
•    Need of the scheme:
1.    Reduced income from farming
2.    Small and fragmented land holding on account of repeated divisions has also contributed in decline in the income of the farmer family.
3.    Declining prices of agricultural commodities in the international market.
 

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Important Current Affairs 7th July 2018

Important Current Affairs 7th July 2018

Current Affairs 7th July 2018: NATIONAL NEWS

Prime Minister laid the foundation of urban infrastructure projects
●        Narendra Modi addressed a public meeting in Jaipur today.
●        He unveiled the foundation stone of 13 urban infrastructure projects for Rajasthan.


Seychelles canceled deal to build a naval base with India
 
●        Seychelles, on the other hand, has canceled the agreement with India to build a naval base on its own disambiguation island.
●        In a press conference this month, President Danny Force had said that when he comes to India, then there will be no discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the Ascension Island project.
●        The news of breaking of India's $ 9 billion deal with Russia to develop next generation fighter aircraft was also reported.
 
 
Mukesh Ambani's tenure extended for five years
●        Mukesh Ambani will remain the Chairman and Managing Director of Reliance Industries Limited for five years.
●        The company's shareholders have approved the proposal to increase Mukesh Ambani's tenure for five years.
●        Ambani has been involved in the company's board of directors since 1977.
●        After the death of the founder of Reliance Group and his father Dhirubhai Ambani in July 2002, he was appointed chairman of the company.


National Testing Agency will conduct NEET, JEE and NET
 
●        Union Human Resources and Development Minister Prakash Javadekar announced on Saturday that now the National Testing Agency will make entrance examinations of NEET, JEE and NET.
●        All these examinations were done by the CBSE till date.
●        Now JEE Mains and Neutral examination will be done twice a year. This announcement will come into effect from the new academic session.


Law Commission recommends legalization of betting in sports
 
●        The Law Commission has recommended legalization of betting in the Games on 05 July 2018.
●        If the government accepts this recommendation of the Law Commission, betting in the game will be brought under legal realm in the coming time.
●        The Law Commission has recommended it as a regulatory activity.

Current Affairs 7th July 2018: GLOBAL NEWS


International Round Table Conference on 9-10 July 2018
●        The Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation is organizing an international round table conference on 'Data for New India' during 9-10 July 2018.
●        The goal of this Round Table Conference is to inspire innovative ideas to improve the statistics system in India, taking inspiration from the best practices prevailing in advanced countries such as Canada, Britain and Australia.
●        This type of conference is being organized for the first time in India.
 

30 trillion tons of Antarctica ice melted in 25 years
 
●        The snow in Antarctica is melting at the alarming rate. Since 1992, about 30 trillion tonnes of snow has melted.
●        An international team of ice experts said in a new study that in the last quarter of the century, ice has soaked in water in the southern end of Antarctica that the ground has plunged up to about 13 feet in Texas.
●        This sheet of ice in the southern end is the main indicator of climate change.
 
 
Terrorist attack in Somalia Home Ministry
 
●        Somalia's home ministry was attacked by terrorists on Saturday, in which nine people have died while security forces are still struggling with the gunmen inside the building.
●        The extremist faction al-Shabab has taken responsibility for the attack.
 

UK announces new visa
 
●        Britain has offered a new visa that will be available to scientists and researchers from other countries including India.
●        Britain's Immigration Minister Caroline Knox has informed about this new visa in a statement.
●        Its aim is to emphasize the development of the research field of the country.
 
 
54 dead in Canada because of loo: official
 
●        In Eastern Canada, 54 people have died since the last week due to the severe Lo.
●        The Quebec Ministry of Health said that the other victims are from the south-west of the France-Canada province.
●        About 100 people died in Montreal in 2010 in Montreal.
 

Lopez Obrador victory in the presidential election of Mexico
 
●        Andres Manuel Obrador, leftist candidate of the National Regeneration Movement Party of Mexico, won the presidential election.
●        After the announcement of 53 percent of the votes polled by Lechage Overlord by the election body, he called it a "historic day".
●        Their closest rivals conceded defeat and congratulated Lopez Obrador for victory.
 
 
Justin Trudeau will attend NATO Conference
 
●        Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will attend the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Conference to discuss trans-Atlantic security issues and other challenges.
●        The conference will be held from 11th to 12th July.
●        Just a few days ago, US President Donald Trump has separated himself from a joint statement issued on the last day of the group G-7 Summit in Quebec, Canada.

Mark Zuckerberg became world's third richest man
 
●        Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg has become the third richest person in the world by overtaking investor Warren Buffett.
●        Now in the list of the world's rich, Zuckerberg is left behind only Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates.
●        According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Facebook's share of Friday increased 2.4 percent, due to the increase in Zuckerberg's assets.
 
 
Canada becomes the second country to legalize the use of marijuana 
 
●        Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says that the use of marijuana will be valid since October 17 in the country.
●        He said that this step will reduce the organized crime and the youth of the country will be safe.
●        Canada's parliament approved Tuesday for validity of the banquet of marijuana.
●        Canada will become the second country in the world to legalize the use of cannabis after the law is enforced.

Current Affairs 7th July 2018: AWARDS

Dr. T.K. Chand received the Knowledge Excellence Award for exceptional contributions in aluminum field of knowledge
●       In order to make a remarkable contribution in the field of Aluminum, the field of knowledge excellence was received by Dr. T.K. Chand  from the Secretary of the Indian Government, Mr. Anil Gopi Shankar Mukim.
●        Dr. Tapan Kumar Chand, CMD of NALCO appealed to the stakeholders involved in the top companies, policy makers and aluminum value chain to increase production of this 'stunning metal' so that the growing demand for aluminum could be met.

Current Affairs 7th July 2018: ECONOMY

$ 1.75 billion reduction in India's foreign exchange reserves
●        India's foreign exchange reserves recorded a decrease of $ 1.75 billion on June 29 last week.
●        This information was given in the data released by the Reserve Bank of India on Friday .
●        According to RBI data, foreign exchange reserves were $ 406.05 billion in the past week, while the country's foreign exchange reserves had been $ 407.81 billion on June 22, before that.

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Important Current Affairs 24th March 2018

Important Current Affairs 24th March 2018

Current Affairs 24th March 2018: NATIONAL  NEWS

Private car owners will be able to earn money from Ola-Uber


●        If your car stays longer, you will be able to earn it using the Ola-Uber platform.
●        The government is preparing to simplify the taxi permit rules.
●        Under this, Taxi Aggregators like Uber and Ola can be allowed to provide taxi services to private cars.
●        In countries like America, Australia and Singapore, Uber is allowed to use private cars for ride-sharing.
 
Amul is bringing turmeric-milk, 'mocktail'
 
●        After milk, curd, ghee, butter, Amul has now decided to serve you, which you must have donated to grandmother and grandmother.
●        Asia's largest milk brand Amul has decided to launch 'turmeric milk' across the country soon.
●        Considering the taste of the new generation, it is also planned to introduce 'Irish drink mocktail' along with turmeric milk.

Anna's satyagraha started
 
●        Social activist Anna Hazare has started fasting after 7 years in Ramlila Maidan in the capital.
●        This time, problems of farmers across the country are being raised prominently with Janalokpal in the movement.
●        Anna paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on Rajghat.
●        In 2011 Anna had hunger strike on Jantar Mantar for the demand of Lokpal Bill.
●        After this there was a big movement in Ramlila Maidan where millions of people were gathered.

Lalu Yadav got biggest punishment in fodder scam
 
●        Laloo Yadav sentenced to 14 years in CBI's trial case in the Dumka Treasury case involving the fodder scam.
●        He also imposed a fine of 60 lakh on them.
●        The CBI counsel told about the decision on Saturday that the court has given Lalu a 7-7 jail term under the IPC and the Crashonics Act, which will run separately.
●        Lalu's video conferencing took place because he was admitted to the hospital.

Current Affairs 24th March 2018: GLOBAL NEWS

Martin Vizcarra sworn in as President of Peru
 
●        Peru's new President, Martin Vizcarra, sworn in as the new President of the country on March 23, 2018.
●        During this time, Martin expressed his commitment to adopt a tough stance against corruption in the government.
●        Prior to this, Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, who was caught in corruption, resigned from the presidency.


German President Walter is in India


●        German President Frank Walter Schattenmayer meets Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Saturday .
●        There may be several key agreements between the two countries during this period.
●        Earlier, Walter was given a guard of honor in the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
●        On this occasion, President Ramnath Kovind and PM Modi welcomed him.
●        The German President also paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on Rajghat.
●        Walter has come to India on a 5-day tour with wife Elk Badenburg on Thursday.

America challenges the export subsidy schemes in the WTO
 
●        The United States has challenged India's Export Subsidy Scheme in the World Trade Organization (WTO).
●        There are 6 names in the American complaint.
●        It states that apart from exporters India gives incentives to steel products, pharma, chemicals, IT and textile manufacturers.
●        These schemes get help of $ 7 billion (Rs 45,500 crore) per year.

Color of the Eiffel Tower will change for the 19th times
 
●        Its color will be changed to the 19th time in the 129-year history of the famous Eiffel Tower of France.
●        It will take three years.
●        To maintain the glow of the tower, 60 thousand kg of red paint will be required.
●        For this, a budget of Rs. 2.4 thousand crore has been kept.
●        Painting of the tower will start in October.
●        Eiffel Tower was built in 1889, then its color was red.

Uber's self-driving service closed in the US


●        A woman died in a collision of a self-driving car in Arizona, USA.
●        This is the first incident of its kind when a murderous accident happened with the car operating on its own.
●        Uber has stopped testing these cars throughout North America after this incident.
●        Many big car companies around the world are testing self driving cars.
●        These include companies like Tesla, Ford Motors and Vio.
 
 Obama tenure’s rule to be turned down by trump administration
 
●        In the US, transgenders will no longer have the opportunity to work in the army.
●        The White House announced the new rules on recruiting transgenders and services in the army on Friday.
●        Under this, transgenders will not be allowed to work in the army except for certain circumstances.
●        The Obama administration had enacted rules for recruiting transgenders in the army in 2016.

Elon Musk deleted the Facebook page of his companies Tesla and Spacex
 
●        American businessman and billionaire Elon Musk has removed Facebook from his two companies- Tesla and Spacex.
●        There were 26 million likes and follows on these pages.
●        Facebook has been accused of giving information to more than 5 million users of British company Cambridge Analytica.
●        After this many people have started removing their accounts from Facebook.
 
Tajikistan: The world's first country where dress code fixed for all women, ban on burqa


●        The Tajik government has fixed the dress code for women from 7 years old to 70 years of age.
●        For this, the Ministry of Culture has also released a book, which explains what type of clothes women should wear on the spot.
●        In this, clothing is shown through models.
●        Apart from this, wearing 90% Muslim population in this country, wearing Burqa and Western dress (Western dress) was banned.
 
America's top award for "campaign" for Sikhs against Hate Crime
 
●        In the US, a campaign run by Sikhs against Hate Criminal 'We Are Sikh' got the PR Wake US Award.
●        This award is also called the Oscars of the Public Relations Industry, and it is America's Top Award.
●        Campaign was given to the Campaign to raise public issues.

Current Affairs 24th March 2018: SPORTS

Commonwealth Games: Sindhu will be flag carrier
 
●        Badminton player PV Sindhu will be the flag bearer of the Indian contingent in the Commonwealth Games -2018, starting on April 4 in Australia's Gold Coast.
●        The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) lauded this.
●        IOA has given PV Sindhu the prize for winning Silver Medal at the Rio Olympics.

Current Affairs 24th March 2018: RANKING

India dropped 11 position in World Happiness Report


●        Finland has become the happiest country in the world by surpassing Norway, while the Burdi is the most unhappy.
●        In this case, India is at 133th rank in 156 countries. It is down 11 points compared to last year.
●        Countries such as Pakistan, China, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Myanmar are happier than India.

Current Affairs 24th March 2018: SCIENCE

IBM created the world's smallest computer


●        IBM has claimed to be the world's smallest computer.
●        The company put the microcomputer in front of everyone in a program in Las Vegas.
●        The company says that this is an anti-fraud device.
●        There is a complete computer system including processor, memory and storage inside a chip.

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Important Current Affairs 1st JANUARY 2018

Important Current Affairs 1st January 2018

Current Affairs 1st JANUARY 2018: NATIONAL NEWS

Nyctibatrachus mewasinghi was discovered in the Western Ghats -New night frog species found
●    Another frog from Kerala is the most recent commitment to the spurt in land and water proficient revelations crosswise over India.
●    Researchers have quite recently found the Mewa Singh's Night frog.
●    It was found from the Western Ghats, from Kozhikode Malabar Wildlife Sanctuary.
●    The new night frog Nyctibatrachus mewa singh is light dark colored with a grayish underside.


Chandragiri fort set to get a facelift

●    Kerala Minister declares Rs. 80 lakhs for stage I of the facelift project.
●    The 17-century Chandragiri fortress will see scientific protection with Minister of Archeology and Archives Kadannappally Ramachandran declaring a Rs. 80-lakh amount for the primary renovation.
●    The venture conceives enhancing the fundamental framework, keeping the legacy of the fortress in place.

 
Karnataka - Dhaatu International Puppet Festival
●    The three-day Dhaatu International Puppet Festival will be held from January 5 to 7 in the city.
●    Entering its fourth progressive year, the celebration will likewise have 200 years old tradition of puppets.
●    The occasion is being bolstered by the Union Ministry of Culture, State Department of Tourism, and The Cultural Forum of Austria. 
●    The entry fee for all these shows are covered by the government and Dhaatu themselves.

Alok Mohan posted as ADGP of the bureau

●    Alok Mohan has been posted as the Additional Director-General of Police (ADGP), Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).
●    The State government has also transferred another senior official from the ACB, K.V. Sharath Chandra, as IGP, Eastern Range, Davangere. 
●    Soumendu Mukherjee, IGP and Additional Director, Fire Services, has been given the additional charge of the post of IGP, Special Investigation Team, Karnataka Lokayukta.


Hindustani vocalist Shruti Sadolikar gets Mallikarjun Mansur Samman

●    Eminent Hindustani vocalist Shruti Sadolikar Katkar was regarded with Mallikarjun Mansur Samman, while promising vocalists Deepika Bhide Bhagwat and Anagha Bhat were awarded with Mallikarjun Mansur Rashtreeya Yuva Puraskar at Srujana Ranga Mandir in Dharwad on Sunday.
●    Mallikarjun Mansur Samman Award conveys a money prize of ₹1 lakh, while yuva Puraskar grant conveys a money prize of ₹25,000.
●    Award has been given by the Pandit Mallikarjun Mansur Trust. 
●    The trust has been recognizing prominent vocalists and performers who have colossally added to the field of music and is exhibiting them National honor each year.


Kerala - KAS comes into force today

●    As the State formally changes over to the Kerala Administrative Service (KAS) from Monday, the legislature should speed up the enlistment procedure for accomplishing its expressed target of making the common administrations altogether proficient and productive.
●    Preparatory systems for propelling the administration have just been started and the 29 recorded divisions, including the Administrative Secretariat, Finance Secretariat, Civil Supplies, Survey and Land Records and such others, have been coordinated to recognize and reserve the 10% retirement opportunities of second gazetted posts that are emerging. 


Andhra Pradesh- Transgenders to become road safety ambassadors

●    Transgenders will be made brand ambassadors for road safety measures, Kurnool Superintendent of Police Gopinath Jatti said.
●    Transgenders, alongside the SP and Municipal Commissioner C.B. Harinatha Reddy, participated in Swachh Bharat cleanliness drive in Kurnool RTC transport stand. 
●    CCTV cameras will also be setup.

Lok Sabha Passes Insolvency And Bankruptcy Code Amendment Bill

●    The much-awaited Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill is passed by Lok Sabha. 
●    This bill will tighten norms on willful defaulters.
●    Amendment in IBC, excludes willful defaulters from bidding to purchase stressed asset of companies, which are undergoing insolvency proceedings. 


Indian History Congress Meeting held in Kolkata

●    The three-day long 78th session of the Indian History Congress started in Kolkata.
●    This time this congress has six sections – Ancient India, Medieval India, Modern India, Countries Other than India, Archaeology and Contemporary India. 
●    Indian history congress is held for the promotion and encouragement of the scientific study of Indian History.


Paul McCartney congratulates Ringo Starr on knighthood

●    The 77-year-old The Beatles drummer, Ringo Starr, was bestowed with the Knighthood honour for his services to music
●    His real name is Richard Starkey.
●    Starr was earlier knighted in 1965 along with his bandmates as Members of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.


Triple talaq petitioner Ishrat Jahan joins BJP


●    One of the petitioners in the triple talaq case, Ishrat Jahan has joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
●    Ms. Jahan, lives in Howrah district and she joined BJP at its Howrah office. 
●    She was among the five petitioners in the triple talaq case, that led to Union government tabling a bill to criminalise triple talaq.
●    She was divorced by her husband over phone from Dubai by uttering talaq consecutively three times in 2014.

Current Affairs 1st JANUARY 2018: GLOBAL NEWS


China's ban on ivory trade comes into force

●    China has for quite some time been one of the world's greatest market for ivory, however starting at 2018 all exchange of ivory and ivory items in the nation has been declared illicit.
●    The move is being hailed as a noteworthy improvement in endeavors to ensure the world's elephant populace.
●    There had just been a 65% decrease in the cost of crude ivory over the previous year.
●    There had additionally been a 80% decrease in seizures of ivory entering China.

 
The Indian who became the first female doctor in the UAE

●    Indian national Zulekha Daud is generally comprehended to be the first practicing female doctor in the United Arab Emirates and has had a pivotal influence in changing healthcare sector. 
●    Dr Daud, came  to Dubai in 1963.
●    Dr Daud's rise to prominence coincides with the rapid growth of medical facilities after the foundation of the UAE in 1971.


 India and Pakistan exchange 27th list of nuclear installations

●    India and Pakistan on Monday signed agreement of their atomic establishments under an assertion that means to keep the two sides from assaulting such facilities.
●    The deal was done through discretionary channels at the same time at New Delhi and Islamabad.
●    This is the twenty-seventh successive agreement of such a rundown between the two nations.
●    The Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear establishments amongst India and Pakistan was marked on December 31, 1988 and came into force on January 27, 1991.

Current Affairs 1st JANUARY 2018: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS


Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates introduce VAT for first time

●    Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates started VAT from Monday, a first for the Gulf which has since quite a while ago prided itself on its tax-exempt.
●    The five per cent sales tax applies to most goods and services.
●    Analysts project that the two governments could raise as much as $21 billion in 2018, equivalent to 2 percent of the total GDP. 

Current Affairs 1st JANUARY 2018: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY


Astronauts identify unknown microbes in space for first time

●    Space travelers on board the International Space Station (ISS) have recognized microorganisms in space without sampling back to Earth for tests. 
●    The capacity to recognize organisms in space could help to analyze and treat space traveler afflictions progressively, and additionally aiding the distinguishing proof of DNA-construct of life in different planets.
●    The examination was broken into two sections: the accumulation of the microbial examples and intensification by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).
 

2 new ginger species found in the northeast

●    Scientists have discovered two new species of Ginger in northeast.
●    Those two species are Ukhrul in Manipur and Tuensang in Nagaland.
●    Both the plants are from the family of Zingiberaceae, to which the commonly found Ginger belongs.
 

Current Affairs 1st JANUARY 2018: SPORTS

Rural girl wins gold in world yoga meet

●    Yoga student C. Kamatchi, won Asian yoga sports title, & made a record winning gold in the '2017 World yoga sports positioning title' held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on December 29 and 30.
●    Kamatchi, is from Mudukulathur, & studies M.Sc (yoga) from Tamil Nadu Physical Education and Sports University.
●    She displayed 10 'asanas' in the athletic category of 19 to 25 years of age and won gold.


Shahzar reigns with a record

●    Shahzar Rizvi made a national record of total 241.7 points and took the men’s 10m air pistol gold in the 61st National shooting championships.
●    Championship concluded at the National Games shooting range.
●    Yashwant Singh (Army) took the silver.
●    In the junior men’s category, Anmol Jain (Haryana) won the gold medal with a record total of 244.1.

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Important Current Affairs 20th DECEMBER 2017

Important Current Affairs 20th DECEMBER 2017

Current Affairs 20th DECEMBER 2017: NATIONAL NEWS

The Cabinet approved the 'Capacity Building Scheme in Textile Sector' for the period 2017-18 to 2019-20

Prime Minister of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired the work involved except the spinning and weaving in the organized sector, the entire value chain of the textile sector approved a new skill development plan.
●    It has been named 'Capacity Building Scheme (SCBTS)' in Textile Sector.
●    This scheme has been accepted for the period of 2017-18 to 2019-20 with the cost-expenditure of 1300 crores.
●    In this scheme, there will be training courses in line with the National Skills Qualification Framework based on common standards of skill development and entrepreneurship ministry.
●    This plan includes the country will be implemented for the benefit of all sections of society, including rural, far-flung areas, Left Wing Extremism affected area, North East and Jammu and Kashmir.
●    Under the scheme, the SC, ST, Diwyangon preference to minorities and other disadvantaged groups.
●    More than 70 percent of these women were women. 
●    Under this scheme, the garment industry is a major area, which is believed to be about 70 percent of the women employed in it.


The Cabinet approved the Central Group 'A' service and cadre to the Executive Officers of the Armed Forces

Under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Union Cabinet has approved the Central Group 'A' service and cadre to the Executive Officers of the Armed Forces Force.
●    This includes reviewing Group 'A' class officers, from the Assistant Commandant to the creation of 19 posts of the IG level, to increase the operational and administrative capabilities of the Armed Forces force.
●    The Armed Forces force was formed in 1963 to promote the security of the border areas, to promote national sentiment and to increase security in the area.
●    In the year 2001, the force was transferred to the Central Home Ministry.
●    Since then, the force is deployed in the security of Indo-Nepal and Bhutan borders.
●    The force is given intelligence and security responsibilities in Left-wing affected areas and in Jammu and Kashmir and Assam.
●    At present, 96,093 personnel are working in force, 73 battalions are in force.
●    These include two National Disaster Redemption Battalions.
●    Prior to this, the action to upgrade and chalk up the force was done in 2005, 2010 and 2011.

Cabinet approves setting up of India's first National Rail and Transport University in Vadodara

Indian Railways is on the path of modernization through extensive technical and infrastructure upgradation.
●    It will Contribut e in 'Make in India' and 'Skil India' and subsidies in large-scale employment creation.
●    It will Promot e of innovative enterprises and support for the Start Up India initiative.
●    The latest methods of teaching and use of technology will be applied: With the use of latest methods, higher education and training can be made available.
●    India will emerge as a global leader with the latest technology and skilled manpower.
●    Under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Union Cabinet has approved the establishment of the country's first National Rail and Transportation University (NRTU) in Vadodara for skill and capacity building in human resources.
●    The inspiring innovative thoughts presented by the Prime Minister to the University establishment of the University will be the forerunner of the change in rail and transport sector towards the new India.
●    This University will be established as a recognized University under UGG's Novo Division (Honored University Institute) Regulation, 2016.
●    The Government is working to give all the approvals till April 2018 and start the first academic session in July, 2012.


Indian railway project


Ministry of Railways has decided to launch a Gold Project with the objective of providing better facilities to the passengers.
●    Interior decoration of the coaches, toilet, cleanliness of the coaches, staff behavior, food arrangements, blankets and sheets, time restrictions, safety, recreational facilities during travel, quick information facilities such as passenger amenities, 9 dimensions of this gold The project is included in the project.
●    These facilities will be provided in 14 capital and 15 century trains.
●    In order to upgrade the coaches on the basis of gold standard, Indian Railways has approved to spend 50 lakhs per rack.
●    Golden project has been launched with the aim of improving the capital and Shatabdi trains.
●    Some coaches in Bhopal Workshop are being developed as model racks for the Harman Railways.
●    At present, there are three such trains running: Varanasi from New Delhi, Khajuraho from Bhopal and Varanasi from Vadodara.

Current Affairs 20th DECEMBER 2017: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 

ISRO and NASA collaboration


ISRO and Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) / NASA jointly engaged in the development of Dual Frequency (L & S Band) synthetic aperture radar imaging satellite named NASA ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR).
●    The L & B band microwave data obtained from this satellite will be useful for a variety of applications, including natural resource mapping and monitoring, estimation of agricultural biomass in the entire period of crop rotation, assessment of soil moisture, monitoring of flood and oil lubrication, coastal Corrosion, coastal changes in coastal waters and variation of winds, assessment of mangroves, surface deformation studies, falling of ice layer.
●    The data obtained from the NISAR Mission is not for the rebound of the climate.
●    However, the data obtained from this mission will be useful in developing some applications, including (i) detecting cracks in the glacier hidden from fresh ice in places where humans are known to exist (ii) estimate avalanches (Iii) Study of glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) hazards, and (iv) submerged with flood due to flood / cyclones. Sector detection is included.
●    These applications can be helpful in taking measures that can minimize the loss of human life.
 

Current Affairs 20th DECEMBER 2017: ECONOMY 

Meeting of the third meeting of the Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council


The third meeting of the Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council (EAC-PM) was held today.
●    This meeting was organized under the chairmanship of EAC-PM President and Member of the Policy Commission Dr Bibek Debroy.
●    Two presentations were given while continuing the discussion on employment and development.
●    Dr. Ramesh Chand, Member of the Policy Commission, gave a presentation on 'Strategic Options for Promotion of Agricultural Productivity, Income and Employment-friendly Development in Agriculture and Allied Sectors'.
●    Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development, Shri Amarjeet Sinha gave a presentation on 'Mission Antyodhya for poverty free panchayats'.
●    In EAC-PM, OSD Shri Kishore Desai made a presentation on issues related to trade before the Council.
●    Part-time members of the Council, Dr. Rathin Roy and Dr. Surjit Bhalla presented updates on the monitored monitors.
●    EAC-PM discussed these issues during his meeting.

India signed a funding agreement with the World Bank for US $ 125 million for 'Striवे Project for Industrial Value Promotion Operations'

Government of India has signed a funding agreement with the World Bank in the National Capital yesterday for IDA loan of 125 million US dollars (equivalent) for 'Skill Stabilization Project for Industrial Value Promotion Operations'.
●    On behalf of the Government of India on behalf of the Finance Department, Mr. Sameer Kumar Khare, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, and signed by Mr. Hisham Abdo, Acting Country Director of World Bank (India) on behalf of the World Bank.
●    The objective of this operation is to ensure better access to professional training in line with quality and market demand.
●    The result of this project includes better performance of industrial training institutes, better training of state governments, excellent education and knowledge and better and detailed trainee (apprenticeship) training to assist in training of industrial training institutes and apprenticeship training.
●    The closing date for this project is November 30, 2022.

Current Affairs 20th DECEMBER 2017: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

The Cabinet approved the MoU for cooperation between India and Cuba in the field of Health and Medicine.

Under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Union Cabinet approved the MoU for cooperation between India and Cuba in the field of health and medicine with prior approval.
●    The Memorandum of Understanding was signed on December 6, 2017 in New Delhi.
●    The consent memorandum will be supported in the following areas-
●    Exchanges and training of doctors, officers, other health professionals and experts
●    Help in the establishment of Human Resources and Health Services Development and Health Facilitation Centers
●    Shortage training of human resources in health
●    Rules for drug, medical equipment and information exchange
●    Promotion of trade development opportunities in drug and other identified areas by the sides
●    Help regarding availability of generic and urgent medicines and drug supply
●    Availability of health equipment and medicinal products
●    Other areas of cooperation according to mutual decision
●    A joint working group will be established to take stock of the implementation of this memorandum and for other details as per the agreement.

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Important Current Affairs 14th October 2017

Important Current Affairs 14th October 2017

Current Affairs 14th October 2017: NATIONAL NEWS

The first ever All India Institute of Ayurveda to be dedicated to the Nation by the Prime Minister on Ayurveda Day at New Delhi 

The First ever All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), set up along the lines of AIIMS, will be dedicated to the Nation by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi on Ayurveda Day on 17th October, 2017 at New Delhi. 
●    Set up as an apex institute under the Ministry of AYUSH, the AIIA will bring synergy between the traditional wisdom of Ayurveda and modern diagnostic tools and technology. 
●    This was disclosed by the Minister of State for AYUSH, Shr Shripad Yesso Naik at a press conferences in New Delhi today. 
●    Within the short duration of its establishment, AIIA has gained a wide national and International recognition. 
●    It has started working to facilitate quality patient care, research and bridging the gaps in the scientific information about quality, safety and efficacy of Ayurveda products and developing benchmarks of Ayurvedic education, research and healthcare, the AYUSH Minister explained.
●    Shri Shripad Naik said that in the first phase, the AIIA has been set up within a total campus area of 10.015 acres with a budget of Rs.157 Crores. 

New Guiness Record at IISF Chennai 2017 

Day two of the India International Science Festival (IISF) in Anna University campus at Chennai saw the making of a new Guinness World Record for the Largest Biology Lesson. 
●    One thousand forty nine (1049) students participated in the record breaking session. 
●    While inaugurating the Largest Biology Lesson, Union Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Science, Dr. Harsh Vardhan said that it is the vision of the Prime Minister, Shri. Narendra Modi, to encourage and promote science and the Govt. of India has launched many Flagship Programmes in this regard. 
●    He also invoked C V Raman and how he has won the Nobel Prize, which is first by any Indian to do so.
●    World Record attempts have been a key part of India International Science Festival since 2015, which leads to encouragement and popularizing of Science through public participation. 
●    In IISF 2015, students took a successful shot at the Guinness World record for the world’s largest science Lesson at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi. 


Inland Waterways Authority of India raises Rs. 660 crore through Bonds 

The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has raised Rs. 660 crore as “GOI Fully Serviced Bonds”. 
●    The resources raised by way of bonds are in addition to the budgetary support from the Government of India. 
●    The Government had taken a decision to enable IWAI to raise Rs 660 crore through GOI Fully Serviced Bonds in 2017-18.
●    The IWAI had engaged arrangers, credit rating agencies, registrars and trustees prior to raising the Bonds. 
●    Both CRISIL and CARE rated the proposed instrument of IWAI as “AAA: STABLE”. 
●    The e-bidding for raising the bonds was organized on 11th October, 2017 on the BSE Portal with the issue size of Rs. 300 crore and Green Shoe option of Rs. 360 crore. 
●    The issue was oversubscribed and the entire amount of Rs.660 crore has been raised in single tranche at a coupon rate of 7.47 percent.

Central team of experts from various departments to investigate the outbreaks of dengue fever in Tamil Nadu


The Centre has deputed a team of experts to Tamil Nadu to investigate the outbreak of dengue in the state. 
●    The team, which includes doctors from All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), New Delhi, Lady Hardinge Medical College (LHMC) and National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), New Delhi, will provide technical assistance to the state in dengue case management and vector control. 
●    The experts will also assess the situation and provide “necessary guidance” to manage and address the recent upsurge.
●    According to the data from the ministry of health and family welfare, this year alone, Tamil Nadu has reported 12,324 cases of dengue, and 18 deaths due to the mosquito-borne disease. 
●    The state opposition has reportedly claimed that the number is much higher than what is being reported and has been attacking the state government for not being able to control the situation.
●    Last year, only 2,531 dengue cases were reported from the state. 
●    This year, the highest number of cases have been reported from Thoothukudi (1,178), Chennai (1,138), Sankarankoil (1,072), Coimbatore (942), Thirupur (782) and Kanyakumari (777).

NCLT approves allowing Reliance Communications and Aircel to withdraw merger plans


The National Company Law Tribunal has approved the withdrawal of merger deal between Reliance Communications and Aircel, as per a regulatory filing.
●    "The National Company Law Tribunal, Mumbai Bench (NCLT) has passed orders dated October 13, 2017 approving withdrawal of the Scheme of Arrangement between the Company, Reliance Telecom Limited (RTL), Aircel Limited, Dishnet Wireless Limited, Deccan Digital Networks Private Limited, South Asia Communications Private Limited and their respective shareholders and creditors for demerger of wireless business of the Company and RTL to Aircel...," RCom said in a BSE filing today.
●    The order also approved withdrawal of demerger of tower business of Reliance Infratel to Towercom Infrastructure, the filing said.
●    RCom, which is reeling under a debt of about Rs 46,000 crore, had called off merger talks with Aircel, citing " legal and regulatory" delays and "various interventions by vested interests".
●    RCom also blamed high level of competition as one of the reasons for termination of the merger talks.
●    It was claimed that with the deal the debt of RCom will come down to around Rs 20,000 crore, while that of Aircel to around Rs 4,000 crore.

Reliance will invest Rs 70 billion every quarter in Jio


As per the latest Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) financial and operational performance report for the quarter 2, Jio's customer base has been a swift surge. The report notes that the Reliance Jio has added around 15.3 million subscribers in the last three months. 
●    However, instead of adding millions of customers to Jio, the company - as pet the RIL financial and operational performance report has gone through a loss of Rs. 271 crores. 
●    Even after the experiencing loss, Reliance says that the company's financial performance is 'strong'.
●    By adding about 15.3 million users, Jio grew its customer base to 136.8 million in three months. 
●    RIL also posted that the company - Jio has seen a total wireless traffic of 374 crore gigabytes (3.74 billion GB) in Q2, which ended on Sept 30. 
●    It also says that Jio is touting the highest per capita data consumption of 9.62GB per user per month.


IndusInd Bank to acquire Bharat Financial, will complete deal in 10 months


IndusInd Bank on Saturday announced merger with microfinance lender Bhart Financial Inclusion (BFIL). 
●    The deal is subject to approvals from the Reserve Bank of India, market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India and Competition Commission of India among others.
●    According to the deal, Bharat Financial shareholders will get 639 shares of the bank for every 1,000 held. The deal is likely to be completed in 9-10 months.
●    The deal comes nearly a month after IndusInd informed the stock exchange that they have entered into exclusive merger talks with Bharat Financial.
●    The composite scheme, which will be effective from January 1, is between IndusInd, BFIL and a wholly owned subsidiary of the bank.
●    The scheme will explore amalgamation of the bank with BFIL without winding up the latter company, IndusInd said in a filing with the stock exchange.

Current Affairs 14th October 2017: GLOBAL NEWS

Trump administration refuses to cooperate with Vibank's capital base hike


The Trump administration has rejected a capital increase by the World Bank, which the Bank says is necessary to expand its global anti-poverty mission.
●    Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the huge Washington-based institution is inefficient and can be more effective in the nearly $60 billion in development finance it currently allocates each year.
●    Through greater efficiency, the bank can internally build its capital base and expand lending without the need for more contributions from its 189 shareholder nations -- of which the United States is the largest.
●    He also said, in a statement to the Development Committee, which sets the action program for the bank and the International Monetary Fund, that the Bank needs to cut funding for emerging economies that don't need significant outside assistance.
 

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Important Current Affairs 5th October 2017

Important Current Affairs 5th October 2017

Current Affairs 5th October 2017: NATIONAL NEWS

IBBI notifies the IBBI (Information Utilities) (Amendment) Regulations, 2017 

IBBI had notified the IBBI (Information Utilities) Regulations, 2017 on 31st March, 2017. 
●    These regulations provided that ordinarily a person should not hold more than 10% of paid up equity share capital or voting power of an information utility, while allowing certain specified persons to hold up to 25%. 
●    These further provided that a person may hold up to 51% of paid-up equity share capital or total voting power of an information utility till the expiry of three years from its registration.
●    IBBI has amended the IBBI (Information Utilities) Regulations, 2017 on 29th September, 2017. 
●    According to the amended regulations, a person may, directly or indirectly, either by itself or together with persons acting in concert, hold up to fifty-one percent of the paid-up equity share capital or total voting power of an information utility up to three years from the date of its registration. 
●    Further, an Indian company, (i) which is listed on a Stock Exchange in India, or (ii) where no individual, directly or indirectly, either by himself or together with persons acting in concert, holds more than ten percent of the paid-up equity share capital, may hold up to hundred percent of the paid-up equity share capital or total voting power of an information utility up to three years from the date of its registration. 
●    However, these amended provisions are be available in respect of information utilities registered before 30th September, 2018.


“Pradhanmantri Mudra Yojna” promotion camp in Hyderabad 

Union Minority Affairs Minister Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi today said here that under the “Mudra Yojna”, launched on 08th April 2015, the Centre has approved about 9.13 crore loans. 
●    Addressing the common people, traders, industries’ representatives and people from social sector in Hyderabad during “Pradhanmantri Mudra Yojna” promotion camp, Shri Naqvi said that there are about 76 percent women in these beneficiaries of “Mudra Yojna”. 
●    More than 55 percent of the beneficiaries are SC/ST/OBCs and Minorities.
●    Shri Naqvi said that today each and every country of the world has recognising India as an emerging economic power. 
●    Today, India has become one of the safest and strongest destination for investment. 
●    Shri Naqvi said that during the last three years, the NDA Government has moved forward towards strengthening the Indian economy. 
●    Growth rate has been above 7 percent during the last three years.
●    Shri Naqvi said that “Demonetisation” has started giving results. 
●    Direct Benefit Transfer has ensured transparency, as money has been given directly into the bank accounts of needy.


Plantation drive along National Highways 

National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has so far planted about 10 lakh plants along national highways in this monsoon season. 
●    This includes about 4 lakh avenue plants and about 6 lakh plants on the highway medians. 
●    The plantation drive is part of NHAI’s activity towards ensuring and upholding the cause of Swachh Bharat Mission in providing clean, green and pollution free National Highways. 
●    The drive is taken up as a regular activity during monsoons and continues even afterwards with watering and maintenance of the plants. 
●    Plantation work has been mainstreamed as an integral part of highway development projects, thereby ensuring that our highways remain clean, green and pollution free.


 Paryatan Parv started

Ministry of Tourism has launched the ParyatanParv ”  celebrations country wide today.
●    ‘Paryatan Parv’ activities began with the flagging of the cycle rally by Smt. Rashmi Verma, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism from India Gate, New Delhi to Qutab Minar. 
●    Approximately 80 cyclists from across Delhi including members of tourism Industry Stakeholders, officials from central Ministries, doctors, teachers, students participated this rally.
●    The other activities in the capital included a Guided Heritage Walk at  Humayun’s Tomb & painting competition for children etc.
●    Tourism awareness Walk & Run were organised in Shillong , Bhubaneswar , Kovalam (Kerala), Hajipur (Bihar), Gurudaspur, Chennai, Guwahati, Mumbai, Ahmedabad , Jaipur, Imphal, Lucknow, Agra, Hyderabad , Gwalior, Bhopal, Panaji(Goa), Delhi.
●    100’s of student from Institute of Hotel Management in the said cities & local stakeholders enthusiastically participated in the Tourism walk & Run.  
●    The various State Tourism Departments also joined the celebrations by organising various events like trekking programme, photography contest, essay competitions, sensitization program etc.
●    In Guwahati, the students took to rowing in the Brahmaputra river   spreading the message of Paryatan Parv.

Apple and Reliance entering into deep local partnership


Apple and Reliance Industries, the most valuable companies in the US and India, are entering into a “deep” local partnership that will harness the conglomerate’s telecom and retailing networks to help the iconic American phone maker "discover Bharat" and take the brand to 900 cities and towns. 
●    The exercise also seeks to establish Reliance as the largest seller of iPhones in the country. 
●    As part of the arrangement that may eventually help iPhones reach more than 2,000 points of sale through Reliance Digital and Reliance Jio, Reliance is now undertaking the distribution itself.
●    Earlier, distributors would reach out to Reliance Digital stores. “Apple wants to expand rapidly in the smaller cities and towns to sell iPhones where Reliance has a ready infrastructure through its retail and telecom businesses. 
●    Apple’s retail presence will immediately double to over 4,000 outlets through this.
●    Reliance, too, wants to sell phones from Rs 999 to $999.


Mukesh Ambani is richest Indian for the 10th consecutive year


Mukesh Ambani for the tenth consecutive year. 
●    The elder Ambani brother, Chairman of Reliance Industries Limited, has seen a very successful year. 
●    One factor contributing to his recent earnings is the massive success of Reliance Jio since its launch in 2016. 
●    Mukesh Ambani tops the list with a staggering Rs 2.47 lakh crore or $38 billion in net worth, a  nd is also one of the top five richest people in Asia. 
●    However, his younger brother, Anil Ambani , is way down the list on the 45th spot with $3.15 billion. 
●    The magazine mentioned that Mukesh Ambani saw his wealth increase by 67 per cent from last year. 
●    In fact there was an increase of 26 per cent in the aggregate wealth of the top 100 richest people. 
●    Forbes also mentions that all of the rank holders in the list are billionaires this year. 
●    The minimum worth to make to the list last year was $1.25 billion, which shot up by 17 per cent this year.

Mastercard, AP sign pact to create digital ecosystem in state

Global payments technology major Mastercard and the Andhra Pradesh government today signed a pact to create a "digital ecosystem" in the state.
●    It focuses on implementing a 4-pronged agenda for the state.
●    Signed by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Mastercard President & CEO Ajay Banga, the pact will see implementation of innovative payment technologies that will help the state move towards a cashless society as also to elevate its foothold as a smart city.
●    Mastercard, through a mobile app, will help create a marketplace solution for farmers to buy and sell crops in a safer and simpler way besides being able to get access to credit and transparent pricing.
●    "The first one is to really work hard in enabling farmers to find access to the new ways to be able to get their produce to markets and connect to buyers and get paid for it in the form that does not allow middleman to get between them and take away what is theirs," Banga told reporters at the MoU signing.

Current Affairs 5th October 2017: INTERNATIONAL RELATION

India signs €300 million Finance Contract with European Investment Bank (EIB) for financing Bangalore Metro Rail Project Phase II- Line R6. 

Government of India and European Investment Bank (EIB) today signed the Finance Contract for lending of € 300 million for Bangalore Metro Rail Project Phase II Line R6. 
●    The agreement was signed by Shri S. Selvakumar, Joint Secretary (BC), Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), Ministry of Finance on behalf of the Government of India and Mr. Andrew McDowell, Vice President, EIB, on behalf of the EIB.
●    Bangalore Metro Rail Project Phase II is to be jointly financed by the European Investment Bank (€500 million) and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (€300 million). 
●    The first tranche of Euro 300mn was signed today. 
●    The project envisages extension of East-West & North-South lines for Bangalore Metro Rail which includes a total length of 72.095 km (13.79 km underground) and 61 stations with 12 underground stations. 
●    The project implementation period is 5 years from date of commencement of the Project.
●    The objective of the project is to bring in a quantum improvement in the transportation sector in the city in tandem with the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) and other modes of urban transport. 
●    The project aims to ensure modern transport facility for the commuters. 

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