Daily Current Affairs Updates 04th March 2017 with FREE PDF

Dear Aspirants,

We bring you the Latest  Gk, Daily Current Affairs Updates 04th March 2017 with FREE PDF in both (English & Hindi), which will update with you latest headlines, news from various categories i.e: national news, sports, business, Awards & recognitions. It will help you in preparation of competitive exams like: SSC, SBI, IBPS PO, Clerk, Railways & Various other Entrance examinations.

National News

Railways launch Roll-on Roll-off service for trucks in Delhi

Railways on Thursday launched Roll-on Roll-off (RO-RO) service from Gurugram to carry loaded trucks on wagons to decongest roads in the national capital region. 
●    About 30 loaded trucks were transported on the flat wagons from Garhi Harsuru station in Gurugram for Muradnagar in Uttar Pradesh.
●    RO-RO service aims to reduce carbon emission and congestion on the roads of the national capital region (NCR) as about 66,000 diesel-guzzling trucks pass through Delhi and its adjoining areas in a day.
●    According to railways, there are about 20,000 trucks which are not meant for the NCR, but enter the region to travel further. 
●    There are eight entry/exit routes in the NCR which will be utilised for RO-RO service to take trucks off the road.
●    It is a win-win situation for truckers as well as for railways as goods will be transported in safe and faster way, saving cost on diesel and man-days besides reducing the pollution level, he said.

National News

PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi Meets PM Modi

PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi on Thursday shared with Prime Minister Narendra Modi the company’s various initiatives, such as its investments on locally sourced juice innovations and products inspired by India’s traditional recipes.
●    In a statement issued after her meeting with the Prime Minister, Nooyi said: “As I shared with Prime Minister Modi, PepsiCo is well-positioned to help the government deliver on the national development goals he has outlined for farmers and supporting their livelihoods. The Prime Minister and I had an engaging dialogue on how PepsiCo is making investments to grow, process and use more Indian-grown fruit juice in our sparkling beverages.
●    Last year, Modi had asked aerated drink-makers to focus on blending natural fruit juices in fizzy drinks to help augment fruit sales for farmers. 
●    Earlier this week, the company expressed its intent to create an integrated citrus cluster in Maharashtra after it has established a citrus processing facility in Nanded.
●    On Thursday, she also tweeted about her meeting with Minister of Commerce and Industry Nirmala Sitharaman to discuss the Indian business environment and future opportunities.
●    On 21 February 2017, the Ministry of Defence gave its in-principle approval to set up 38 radar stations to boost surveillance of the country’s 7,517 km long coastline.

Science & Technology

 'Supersolids' Confirmed as New State of Matter

An international team of scientists has announced the discovery of a new state of matter in a material that appears to be an insulator, superconductor, metal and magnet all rolled into one, saying that it could lead to the development of more effective high-temperature superconductors.
●    If these properties are confirmed, this new state of matter will allow scientists to better understand why some materials have the potential to achieve superconductivity at a relativity high critical temperature(Tc) - "high" as in −135 °C as opposed to −243.2 °C. 
●    Because superconductivity allows a material to conduct electricity without resistance, which means no heat, sound, or any other form of energy release, achieving this would revolutionise how we use and produce energy, but it’s only feasible if we can achieve it at so-called high temperatures.
●    When put through an array of tests, this structure displayed a combination of insulating, superconducting, metallic, and magnetic phases, including a brand new one, which the researchers have named 'Jahn-Teller metals'. 

Business

Snapchat Raises $ 5.3 Billion Each

Snapchat, the disappearing message service with big media ambitions, has finished raising $1.8 billion, according to a Wednesday filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
●    While most start-ups raise money by putting together a group of investors who buy a specified amount of stock at a particular time, Snapchat collected the capital over more than a year. 
●    Snapchat, based in Los Angeles, said in the filing that it began raising the latest round on Feb. 17, 2015.
●    Over the last year, new investors, including General Atlantic, Sequoia Capital, T. Rowe Price and the hedge fund Lone Pine, have bought stakes in Snapchat, according to people who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the talks were private. 
●    As a private company, Snapchat is not required to disclose the identities of investors or its valuation. 
●    A representative for Snapchat declined to comment on the funding. The start-up’s previous investors include Fidelity Investments and Coatue. 

Persons

Richard Branson Launches New Space Company 'Virgin Orbit'

Virgin Group’s commercial space venture, Galactic Ventures, has spun off one of its projects into a new company called Virgin Orbit and it could end up being its most lucrative.
●    Virgin Orbit will focus on launching small satellites into space using its LauncherOne orbital launch vehicle. 
●    This vehicle is essentially a 747-400 airplane designed to hold a rocket under its wing. 
●    Once the aircraft reaches a certain altitude, the rocket would be fired off into space to deliver small satellites for companies that want to take images of Earth, providing Internet and other communications services.
●    This new company reflects two trends: the development of mini-satellites and the growing demand by companies to gain access to space in a more cost-effective way.
●    Richard Branson, the billionaire entrepreneur who founded Virgin and has been the driving force in launching its space tourism company, said that Launcher One was created with the same philosophy as Space Ship Two.

National News

 Ravi Shankar Prasad Inaugurates ‘Training of Self-Organized Small & Medium Traders on Digital Payment Initiatives’

The Union Minister of Electronics & Information Technology and law & Justice, Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad today called for a national movement to make digital transaction a way of life for all sections of the society. 
●    The objective of these training programmes is to understand and adopt simplified digital payment mechanisms like UPI, USSD, BBPS, AEPS etc. in a convenient manner, which would contribute towards establishing digital economy and convey the benefits of digital payments to traders through capacity building programs. 
●    About 13500 small and medium unorganized / self organized businesses/ traders are targeted. The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) shall be mobilizing traders and trade union leaders for training on digital payment initiatives. 
●    Under this programme, NIELIT shall be organizing 5 Regional Workshops at Delhi, Jaipur, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai and 30 State Workshops and 100 Digi Dhan Camps, all over India.

National News

President of India Inaugurates the Centenary Celebrations of Women’s Indian Association

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the Centenary Celebrations of Women’s Indian Association today (March 3, 2017) at Adyar, Chennai. 
●    Speaking on the occasion, the President said that no society can call itself civilized if it does not accord due value to its women and female children and guarantee their safety and security. 
●    Government schemes and programmes to promote gender justice can never succeed unless a deep commitment to basic human values is built into our very consciousness. Violence against women reflects violence in the hearts and minds of those that perpetrate these acts. 
●    The President remembered Dr. Annie Besant and Smt. Sarojini Naidu who had played a leading role in the foundation of the Indian Women’s Association. 
●    He said that role of Women’s Indian Association in the enactment and implementation of the Child Marriage Restraint Act - for raising the minimum age for marriage of women and the Sarada Bill - for abolishing the

National News

Devadasi system is well recognised.  

Work on Shahpur Kandi Dam to Resume Soon Punjab and J&K sign agreement to this effect

In a major step today towards utilization of India’s rights on Eastern rivers of Indus basin, the  mediation efforts of Ministry of Water Resources , RD&GR persuaded the States of J&K and Punjab to reach an agreement to resume works on Shahpur Kandi Dam project in Pujab/ J&K. 
●    The agreement to this effect was signed by Shri KS Pannu,Secretary     (Irrigation),Punjab and Shri Saurabh Bhagat, Secretary ( Irrigation),J&K in the presence of Union Water Resources Secretary Dr.Amarjit singh in New Delhi last evening.
●    The project was being built with an estimated cost of Rs. 2285.81 crore (April, 2008 price level) and is included in the Scheme of National Projects by Government of India. 
●    Under the scheme, MoWR,RD&GR provides central assistance @ 90% of the balance cost of works component of irrigation and water supply. 
●    The construction of Shahpur Kandi project was taken up in May 1999 but later halted in 2014 due to dispute between Punjab and J&K. 
●    The Ministry of WR,RD&GR had been making all out efforts to resolve the issues and resume construction which resulted in yesterday’s agreement.

Stay tuned here for Current Affairs 04th March 2017, Daily Current Affairs Updates 2017 with FREE PDF in English and Hindi, It's helpful for Clearing various competitive exams, Good Luck!.

Dear Aspirants,

We bring you the Latest  Gk, Daily Current Affairs Updates 03rd March 2017 with FREE PDF in both (English & Hindi), which will update with you latest headlines, news from various categories i.e: national news, sports, business, Awards & recognitions. It will help you in preparation of competitive exams like: SSC, SBI, IBPS PO, Clerk, Railways & Various other Entrance examinations.

Daily Current Affairs Updates 03rd March 2017 with FREE PDF 

NATIONAL NEWS

JNU Wins Visitor's Award for Best University of 2017

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has won the annual Visitor's Award for the 'Best University', 2017.  
●    Dr. Deepak Pant from Central University of Himachal Pradesh won the Visitor's Award for 'Innovation' while the Visitor's Award for 'Research' has been jointly won by Dr. Shyam Sunder from Banaras Hindu University and Prof. Niranjan Karak from Tezpur University. 
●    The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee will present the Visitor's Awards for the year 2017 at a function to be held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on March 6, 2017, as part of the 'Festival of Innovations'. 
●    The Visitor's Award for 'Innovation' will be given to Dr. Deepak Pant, Department of Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Central University of Himachal Pradesh for development of a reactor for direct conversion of waste plastic to LPG in small scale.

DEFENCE

Navy Successfully Test Fires Anti-Ship Missile for 1st Time

The Indian Navy on 2 March 2017 successfully conducted the maiden firing of an anti-ship missile from an INS Kalvari class submarine.
●    The test firing was conducted in the Arabian Sea and the missile successfully hit a surface target at extended ranges during the trial firing.
●    INS Kalvari is a class of diesel-electric attack submarine. These submarines are based on the Scorpene-class submarine being built for the Indian Navy.
●    While INS Kalvari is designed by French naval defence and energy company DCNS, they are being manufactured by Mazagon Dock Limited in Mumbai.
●    All six Kalvari class submarines being built in India will be equipped with anti-ship missiles.
●    These missiles will provide the submarines the ability to neutralise surface threats at extended ranges and boost India’s maritime security.
●    The following are some of the recent measures undertaken by the Indian Navy and the Government to boost coastal security.
●    On 21 February 2017, the Ministry of Defence gave its in-principle approval to set up 38 radar stations to boost surveillance of the country’s 7,517 km long coastline.

GLOBAL NEWS

Scientists Find the Earliest Known Evidence of Life on Earth

A team of researchers in Canada have found what might be the oldest set of fossils in the history of the world. 
●    These fossils have been found inside a rock which has been dated at 3.7-billion years old. 
●    This set of life forms is rather unique in their age relative to that of the Earth’s formation at 4.5-billion years ago.
●    Billions of years ago, microbes lived and died around the Nuvvuagittuq belt – once a hydrothermal vent on the ocean floor. 
●    What scientists have found in the samples picked up at the Nuvvuagittuq Supracrustal Belt (NSB) included evidence the life. 
●    This life, they say, lived billions of years ago, living on iron provided by the vents.
●    Evidence was found of fossils that were likely entombed at a hydrothermal vents at NSB. Studies were done on the inner bits of samples from NSB using a Raman microscope. 
●    Inside samples from the site were found carbonate, apatite, and magnetite. These minerals can be found quite often where organic matter is formed. 
●    Tiny filaments and tubes added to evidence of ancient bacteria.

NATIONAL NEWS

 
Centre Stays Order to Stop Stamping Baggage at 7 Airports

The confusion over stamping of hand baggage at seven airports of the country — including Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport — ended on Thursday, with the Bureau for Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) stating that all cabin bags needed to be stamped.
●    The BCAS had issued a circular on February 24 saying that it has stopped stamping of baggage tags at Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Cochin airports.
●    But the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which mans airports across the country, expressed its inability to implement the order. 
●    On Thursday, a joint meeting was held between ministers of state and officials of Union ministry of home affairs and Union ministry of civil aviation at Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan to discuss the modalities of implementation of the order.
●    A similar exercise was to be conducted simultaneously at the remaining 52 airports under CISF cover for recommending modifications in the security architecture and CCTV systems so that the scheme could be implemented at these airports as well. 

DEFENCE

President of India presents ‘Standard’ to 125 Helicopter Squadron and ‘Colours’ to mechanical training institute of Indian Air Force 

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee presented the ‘Standard’ to 125 Helicopter Squadron and ‘Colours’ to Mechanical Training Institute of Indian Air Force today (March 3, 2017) at Air Force Station, Tambaram, Tamil Nadu. 
●    Speaking on the occasion, the President complimented the 125 Helicopter Squadron and Mechanical Training Institute of Indian Air Force and said these units have a glorious past, embedded with rich heritage, stellar efforts and selfless service to the Nation. For their unflinching devotion, professionalism, ethos and courage, the Nation honours them with a deep sense of gratitude and appreciation. 
●    The President said that India is a responsible and emerging power in a multipolar, multilateral world. The ever changing socio-economic and geo-political scenario in our region of influence demands a strong deterrent against those with nefarious designs to affect the progress, prosperity and security of our Nation. 
●    Apart from providing deterrence against inimical entities, both external and internal, our Armed Forces have been at the forefront of providing succour to our citizens during natural calamities. The relentless and selfless operations showcase the fortitude and determination of its gallant air warriors. 
●    The President said that the Indian Air Force has evolved into a technologically advanced entity whilst safeguarding the sovereignty of our Nation. The resilience and tenacity displayed by the air warriors is worthy of emulation by the youth of our country. 

NATIONAL NEWS

India to Host 10th International Conference on Theory and Practice of Electronic Governance: ICEGOV 2017

The Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, Government of India, in collaboration with United Nations University and UNESCO, is organizing a three-day International Conference 10th ICEGOV 2017 in Delhi from 7th March to Thursday, 9th March, 2017. Themed on Building Knowledge Societies: From Digital Government to Digital Empowerment, the ICEGOV 2017 will be inaugurated by Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, Hon’ble Union Minister of Electronics & Information Technology and Law & Justice in the presence of Ms. Maria Manuel Leitao Marques, Minister of Presidency and  Administrative Modernization, Portugal, Shri P. P. Chaudhary, Hon’ble MoS, Electronics & Information Technology and Law & Justice, Mr. P. K. Sinha, Cabinet Secretary,  and Ms Aruna Sundararajan, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology.
●    The key objective of ICEGOV2017 is to explore how Digital Government can lead to Digital Empowerment by local knowledge. It is a recognition of India’s emerging role as a massive cyber power, accelerated by the Digital India push which has acquired international acknowledgment. Digital Governance is  the future of Good  Governance, in sync with the Honourable Prime Minister’s vision to transform India into a transparent and digitally empowered country.
●    ICEGOV 2017 is the 10th edition of ICEGOV, which will focus on the use of technology to transform relationships between government and citizens, businesses, civil society. It will try to inculcate an outlook to create new forms, paradigms, foundations for technology-enabled governance, collaboration, development.  The 10th ICEGOV will bring together academia, governments, international organizations, civil society, and the private sector to share the insights and experiences in theory and practice of Digital Government.
●    In addition to research papers, experience papers, poster papers and doctoral research papers, the programme will also include keynote lecturers like Jane Fountain, Distinguished Professor from United States, Geoff Walsham, Professor from United Kingdom , Frank La Rue, Assistant Director General for Communication and information, UNESCO, plenary discussions and invited sessions by major institutional actors in the area. The programme  also includes Digital Exhibition and special events highlighting the Indian experience and achievements in digital governance.

APPOINTMENTS

Luis Norton de Matos appointed Head Coach of India U-17 football team

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on 1 March 2017 appointed Portugal’s Luis Norton de Matos as the Head Coach of the India U-17 team for the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
●    The World Cup is scheduled to be held in October 2017.
●    De Matos replaces Nicolai Adam, who was resigned under controversial circumstances after a revolt from the players.
●    Born on 14 December 1953, Luis Norton de Matos is a former Portuguese footballer.
●    He played as a forward.
●    He amassed Primeira Liga totals of 210 games and 36 goals over the course of nine seasons.
●    In 1989, he became a manager and worked with several clubs.
●    The 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup will be the 17th edition of the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
●    The FIFA U-17 World Cup is the biennial international men's youth football championship contested by the U17 national teams of the member associations of FIFA.

Stay tuned here for Daily Current Affairs Updates 2017 with FREE PDF in English and Hindi, It's helpful for Clearing various competitive exams, Good Luck!.

Dear Aspirants,

We bring you the Latest  Gk, Daily Current Affairs news, Events, General awareness Today  02nd March 2017 Section in FREE PDF (English & Hindi), a section which outlines the latest important news, Events headlines which are hardly covered elsewhere.

NATIONAL NEWS

NMCG Signs MoU with Rotary India for the Success of Namami Gange 

In its effort to make Namami Gange programme a mass movement with the involvement of more and more voluntary organisations, National Mission for Clean Ganga under Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation signed an MoU with Rotary India in New Delhi today. 
●    Rotary India will support clean Ganga mission through their ‘WASH in Schools’ program in various schools. The program includes the implementation of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene services in the targeted government schools and sensitizing all the stakeholders including school children, teachers, school management communities and communities etc. on practicing positive health behaviors for improving awareness on sanitation. 
●    This will be achieved through an integrated learning environment and enabling children to serve as agents of change for their siblings and communities at large. Rotary India has planned to undertake WASH in Schools programme in 20,000 Government Schools. 
●    It may be recalled that Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Sushri Uma Bharti has been advocating the involvement of voluntary organization and NGOs into the Namami Gange programme to make it a mass movement. 
●    The MoU was signed by Director General, National Mission for Clean Ganga Shri UP Singh and Vice Chairman of Rotary India Shri PT Prabhakar.

NATIONAL NEWS

CBDT signs 10 unilateral APAs with taxpayers

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) on 28 February 2017 signed ten Advance Pricing Agreements (APAs) with taxpayers. 
●    The APAs were signed in various sectors of the economy like Telecom, Pharmaceutical, Banking & Finance, Steel, Retail and Information Technology, etc.
●    In the current financial year, a total of 76 APAs have already been signed by CBDT. 
●    With this, the total number of APAs entered into by the CBDT reached 140 in number. This includes 10 Bilateral APAs and 130 Unilateral APAs. 
●    The CBDT expects more APAs to be signed before the end of the current fiscal.
●    Two of these ten agreements are Bilateral APAs with the United Kingdom and Japan. While, seven of these agreements have rollback provisions in them. 
●    The APAs entered into over the last week pertain to various sectors of the economy like Telecom, Pharmaceutical, Banking & Finance, Steel, Retail, Information Technology, etc. 

NATIONAL NEWS

Govt. Notifies Law to Criminalise Possession of Banned Notes

The government has notified the law that makes holding of more than 10 scrapped notes punishable with a minimum fine of Rs 10,000.
●    The Specified Bank Notes Act, 2017, was passed by Parliament last month with a view to eliminating the "possibility of running a parallel economy" using the old Rs 500/1,000 notes that have been demonetised.
●    The law, signed by President Pranab Mukherjee on February 27, also provides for a minimum fine Rs 50,000 for false declaration by persons who were abroad during the demonetisation period and given time to deposit such scrapped notes with RBI till March 31.
●    With the law coming into force, possession of more than 10 pieces of the old notes by individuals and more than 25 pieces for study, research or numismatics purpose will be a criminal offence, attracting fine of Rs 10,000 or five times the cash held, whichever is higher.
●    The Act also ends the liability of the Reserve Bank and the government on the demonetised currency notes.

SPORTS

Kohli First to be Named India's Best International Cricketer Thrice

India skipper Virat Kohli, who has been on a roll with the willow, was on Wednesday named for the prestigious Polly Umrigar award while all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin will be presented the Dilip Sardesai award at the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) annual awards on March 8 here.
●    Kohli, who first received the award in 2011-12 and in 2014-15, will become the first Indian cricketer to be bestowed with the honour on three occasions.
●    Ashwin, who won the Dilip Sardesai award in 2011, will become the first Indian cricketer to receive the honour twice.
●    The Chennai tweaker, who was adjudged the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Test cricketer of the year, was instrumental in India’s Test series wins against New Zealand, England and Bangladesh with both the bat and the ball.
●    The BCCI Annual Awards committee consisting of N. Ram, Ramachandra Guha and Diana Edulji had nominated former domestic cricketers Rajinder Goel and Padmakar Shivalkar for the Col. C.K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award.

ECONOMY

 Govt. Asks Banks to Get all Accounts on Net Banking by March 31

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, which recently took over the responsibility of promoting the digital payments ecosystem in the country from Niti Aayog, has asked the banks to enable all bank accounts with net-banking facility before March 31. 
●    Most banks in the country, including both public and private, charge for net banking services such as electronic fund transfer, and some lenders even levy a charge for providing internet banking services to their customers.
●    On February 15, the Government of India (Allocation of Business) rules were amended through a notification entrusting the IT ministry to promote digital payments. 
●    Earlier, the government had set up a panel under the Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant to push adoption of online transactions in the backdrop of demonetisation. 

ECONOMY

HDFC, ICICI, Axis to Levy Rs. 150 after Four Transactions a Month

Banks including HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and Axis Bank on Wednesday began charging a minimum amount of Rs 150 per transaction for cash deposits and withdrawals beyond four free transactions in a month.
●    The charges would apply to savings as well as salary accounts effective from Wednesday, leading private sector player HDFC Bank said in a circular.
●    The bank would also cap the third party cash transactions at Rs 25,000 per day, while cash handling charges would be withdrawn effective today, the circular added.
●    In case of ICICI Bank, the charges are same as they were before the demonetisation move announced on November 8, while there is an increase in such fees in case of some others.
●    For non-home branches, ICICI Bank would not charge anything for first cash withdrawal of a calendar month and Rs 5 per thousand rupees thereafter subject to a minimum of Rs 150.

NATIONAL NEWS

LPG Prices Raised by Rs. 86, Steepest Hike in India's History

In the steepest hike in Indian history, the price of non-subsidised cooking gas (LPG) was hiked by Rs 86 cylinder on Thursday, due to change in international trends.
●    The hike is not applied to all the cylinders, but only on Non-subsidised LPG, bought by those who have either given up their subsidies or exhausted the quota of 12 bottles of 14.2-kg in a year at below market price.
●    The LPG was yesterday priced at Rs 651.50 per 14.2-kg cylinder which raised to cost Rs 737.50 today.
●    The steepest hike comes only a month after the price of a cylinder was hiked by Rs 66.5 on February 1.
●    LPG rates have received several upswings since October 2016. 
●    In September, a non-subsidised LPG cylinder was priced at Rs 466.50 in Delhi and has risen by Rs 271 per bottle or 58 per cent in six instalments.

Dear Aspirants,

We bring you the Latest  Gk, Daily Current Affairs news, Events, General awareness Today  01st March 2017 Section in FREE PDF (English & Hindi), a section which outlines the latest important news, Events headlines which are hardly covered elsewhere.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Pakistan to host ECO Summit

Pakistan will host a multi-nation regional economic summit on March 1 aimed at increasing cooperation in areas such as trade, energy, tourism and economic growth.
●    Pakistan is hosting the 13th Economic Cooperation Organisation Summit in Islamabad on March 1. 
●    The Summit will be preceded by the Senior Official’s Meeting on 26—27 February and Council of Foreign Minister’s Meeting on 28 February,” PM’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz told reporters.
●    Most member states have confirmed their participation in the Summit whose theme is ‘Connectivity for Regional Prosperity’.
●    The leaders would deliberate and decide on ways and means to augment cooperation in the areas of connectivity, trade, energy, tourism, investment, industry, economic growth, productivity, social welfare and environment.
●    Initiatives for furtherance of education and scientific linkages, cultural and people-to-people contacts within the ECO would also be deliberated upon during the Summit.

NATIONAL NEWS

Pepsi and Coke banned in Tamil Nadu

Traders in Tamil Nadu have decided that they will not sell soft drinks manufactured by Multinational Companies (MNCs) from 1 March, and promote only Indian brands, The Hindu reported today. 
●    The decision comes in the aftermath of the massive Jallikattu protests which recently rocked the state.
●    Many people who made the Jallikattu protests about preserving the local culture had also lashed out at PETA, headquartered in the United States, and American brands such as Pepsi and Coke.
●    Peramaippu, with 6,000 affiliated member associations and 15.87 lakh members, will spend February educating traders and consumers about the alleged ills of the foreign brands. 
●    It will also ask restaurants and hotels too to not sell these brands.

NATIONAL NEWS

India Healthier in Last 10 years : Survey

India's health indicators show significant improvement over the last decade with a decline in infant mortality complimented by a better sex ratio, more institutional deliveries and wider vaccine coverage.
●    The population rate is also a showing positive change, according to the new set of government data gathered during the fourth phase of National Family Health Survey.
●    Haryana projected a commendable change in its sex ratio at birth. While 762 females were born per 1,000 males in Haryana during NFHS 3 (2005-06), the ratio improved to 836 females per 1,000 males in the survey in 2014-15. 
●    But the sex ratio at birth improved marginally nationally with 919 females born against 1,000 males during the fourth phase of the survey. 
●    During 2005-06, 914 females were born per 1,000 males.
●    India's total fertility rate also declined to 2.2 from 2.7 over last decade, inching closer to the replacement level of 2.1. 
●    Overall, the level declined by 1.2 children per woman from NFHS 1 to NFHS 4. 
●    The data shows Uttar Pradesh showcased maximum decline in TFR, which dropped from 2.7 to 1.1 in last eight years.

OBITUARY

Noted Gujarati Writer Tarak Mehta died

Popular Gujarati writer and noted play writer Tarak Mehta passed away on 1 March 2017 at his Ahmedabad residence. Mehta passed away at 87.
●    Tarak Mehta suffered from age related illness for a long time.
●    Tarak Mehta was an Indian columnist, humorist, writer and playwright.
●    He wrote around 80 books on various pressing issues.
●    Three books are based on the columns he wrote in Gujarati newspaper Divya Bhaskar. The remaining books were compiled from the stories in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah.
●    The popular comic television serial ‘Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah' is a television adaptation of Taarak Mehta's column 'Duniya Ne Undha Chasma'.
●    He had translated and adapted several comedies into Gujarati. Tarak Mehta had also served in Films Division-Mumbai as a script writer.
●    Gujarat Sahitya Akademi awarded him Sahitya Gaurav Puraskar in 2011 and Ramanlal Nilkanth Hasya Paritoshik in 2017.
●    For his contribution to the literature, he was honoured with the prestigious Padma Shri award in 2015. Padma Shri is the fourth highest civilian honour of the Union Government.

NATIONAL NEWS

IMD Predicts 'Over Normal' Temperature this year due to Global Warming

According to NOAA and NASA scientists, 2016 set a global heat record for the third year in a row, but seems that's not enough as more hot weather is expected in the coming days, especially in India.
●    The IMD said that several states are likely to witness heatwave conditions and that the northwest region of the country would be the worst affected with temperatures of more than one degree Celsius above normal.
●    In the rest of the country, temperatures are likely to be a degree Celsius above normal.
●    This includes Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha and Telangana.
●    While 2016 has been termed as the hottest year since 1901, Phalodi in Rajasthan recorded 51 degrees Celsius - the highest ever recorded in the country.
●    Last year, more than 1,600 people died due to extreme climate conditions. 
●    Of them, 700 died due to heatwave conditions. This included over 400 deaths in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. 

NATIONAL NEWS

Air Costa Stops Operation

Air Costa on Tuesday temporarily suspended its operations, becoming the second regional airline in less than eight months to abruptly stop services after Air Pegasus.
●    Air Pegasus is unlikely to resume services from tomorrow as announced in January when new investors were roped in.
●    Facing financial issues with the lessors, Air Costa has decided to ground its two leased aircraft, Embraer E190, which can seat over 100 passengers. 
●    The airline has only these two planes in its fleet.
●    Rival Air Pegasus too had to shut operations for similar reason in July 2016.
●    Air Pegasus, which has been grounded since July last year, is unlikely to restart services again from tomorrow as the new investors are still carrying out their “due diligence“.
●    Last month, Bengaluru-based airline group Flyeasy had announced acquiring up to 74 per cent stake in Air Pegasus in a deal worth Rs 86 crore.

NATIONAL NEWS

Projects worth Rs 1050 Crore Awarded to arrest sewage pollution in Ganga from Patna

In a major step taken to develop adequate sewage treatment infrastructure in Patna to keep Ganga clean, projects worth  Rs 1,050 crore have been awarded under  Namami Gange programme. 
●    The amount will be spent for setting up two two Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs),renovation of one existing STP , construction of two pumping stations and laying of new underground sewage network of about 400 kilometers.
●    Contracts to build STP of 60 MLD capacity and laying of new underground sewage network of  227 kilometers  in Saidpur zone of the city have been awarded to UEM India Pvt. Ltd and Jyoti Build Tech Pvt. Ltd at a total cost of  Rs 600 crore. 
●    Three other firms – Larsen & Turbo Ltd, Voltas Ltd and GAA Germany JV have been awarded separate projects in Beur zone of the city worth over Rs 450 crore to build one STP of 23 MLD, renovate existing STP of 20 MLD and lay down new underground sewage network of about 180 kilometers. 
●    The scope of work also includes creation of main pumping stations of 83 MLD and 50 MLD capacity in Saidpur and Beur zones respectively. The contracts also include the cost of operation and maintenance of STPs and sewage networks for a period of 10 years.

NATIONAL NEWS

Swachh Bharat Milestone- 100 districts in India declared ODF

Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation today launched Swachh Shakti Saptah, a week-long programme of activities across the country to highlight the role of women in Swachh Bharat Mission and to recognize their leadership.
●    Union Minister of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, made the national launch of Swachh Shakti Saptaah in Gurugram, Haryana, at a joint event with the Government of Haryana. 
●    Over 1000 women swachhta champions from grassroots in Haryana attended the event. Deputy Commissioners of 11 ODF districts of Haryana were honoured on the occasion. 
●    The week will culminate with a mega-event in Gujarat named Swachh Shakti 2017 where the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, will address 6000 women sarpanches and honour them for their contribution to Swachh Bharat.
●    The Minister also announced that the number of ODF (Open Defecation Free) districts in the country has now crossed 100. 
●    Over 1.7 lakh villages have become ODF. He said that the achievement of this milestone today has made it an occasion of double celebration for the Mission. 
●    He lauded everyone involved in the Swachh Bharat Mission, especially the administrations of these 100 districts, for their exceptional efforts towards making the Prime Minister’s vision of a Swachh and Open Defecation Free India a reality.

Current Affairs March 2017

It gives us immense pleasure to bring you the latest of 'Current Affairs' of March 2017 which will help out the candidates appearing for various competitive examinations.

In this section we try to cover national and international current affairs March 2017 on regular basis. Kindly check the links given below and keep a track of the current affairs March 2017.  We have covered here date-wise Current affairs February 2017, FREE Current Affairs March 2017 PDF in Hindi and English.

Find here Date-Wise Current Affairs Updates of February 2017:

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We bring you the Latest  (Gk)General Knowledge, Daily Current Affairs news, Events, General awareness Today  28th February 2017 Section in FREE PDF (English & Hindi), a section which outlines the latest important news, Events headlines which are hardly covered elsewhere.

DEFENCE

INS Viraat to Bow Out of Service

INS Viraat, the second aircraft carrier in the Indian naval fleet, will be decommissioned on March 6, Vice Admiral Girish Luthra said on Monday.
●    INS Viraat is the second centaur class aircraft carrier in service which has spent 30 years in the Indian Navy and before that 27 years in the Royal Navy of UK.
●    The next aircraft carrier is under construction at Cochin. It will be named Vikrant. 
●    As per the contract with the Cochin Shipyard, the ship will commence trials by end-2018 or early 2019.
●    He said the Navy is looking for multi-role helicopters (MRH) with combat and evacuation capabilities to act as force multipliers. 
●    These choppers are meant for anti-surface and anti-submarine roles and for rescue and evacuation.
●    The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) will look at issues like whether the MRH can be developed on a strategic partnership model.

APPOINTMENTS

Sumit Mullick Appointed as Maharashtra Chief Secretary

Senior IAS officer Sumit Mullick was today appointed as the Chief Secretary of Maharashtra.
●    He will succeed Swadheen Kshatriya, who was due for retirement on January 31, but was given a month's extension.
●    Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis signed the file on Mullick early this morning, an official from the CMO said.
●    Mullick, a 1982 batch IAS officer is Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) and currently serving as the Chief Protocol Officer in the General Administration department.
●    He had earlier served as the Divisional Commissioner of Amravati and worked as Secretary of School Education.
●    He was also Secretary to the Governor.
●    Mullick is the senior most bureaucrat in the state after Kshatriya and will retire in April 2018.

AWARDS

Rajinder Goel, Padmakar Shivalkar to Receive Col. CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award

The mobile phone of Padmakar Shivalkar, the champion Mumbai left-arm spinner who was unfortunate not to play for India, did not stop ringing on Monday evening after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) nominated him for the Col CK Nayudu lifetime achievement award.
●    Former Haryana left-arm spinner Rajinder Goel, Ranji Trophy’s highest wickettaker with 637 scalps, too didn’t get to play for India as his career ran parallel to that of Bishan Singh Bedi. He has also been bestowed with the same honour.
●    Shivalkar was denied an opportunity to play for India due to the famous spin quartet of Bedi, Erapalli Prassana, Bhagwat Chandrasekhar and R Venkataraghavan.
●    Shivalkar, who was known to recite songs during his playing days, did forget to sing the line of the famous Bollywood song ‘main zindagi ka saath nibhata chala gaya’.

NATIONAL NEWS
 

India and ADB sign loans and grants for first phase of long East Coast Economic Corridor

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India signed here $375 million in loans and grants to develop 800-kilometer Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor, which is the First Phase of a planned 2,500–kilometer long East Coast Economic Corridor (ECEC). 
●    The Corridor is expected to spur development on India’s eastern coast in line with the Government of India’s Make in India policy to stimulate manufacturing, and Act East policy to integrate the Indian economy with Asia’s dynamic global production networks.
●    The signing event was held on 23.02.2017 followed the ADB approval of $631 million in loans and grants in September 2016 to develop the Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor. 
●    ADB’s approved loans comprise a $500 million multi-tranche facility to build key infrastructure in the four main centers along the corridor – Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Amaravati, and Yerpedu-Srikalahasti in the State of Andhra Pradesh. The First Tranche of $245 million was signed today that will finance sub-projects to develop high-quality internal infrastructure in 2 of the 4 nodes of the corridor–Visakhapatnam and Yerpedu-Srikalahasti.
●    Another component of the approved ADB funds signed on 23.02.2017 was a $125 million policy-based loan that will be used for capacity development of institutions engaged in corridor management, provide support to enhance ease of doing business and for supporting industrial and sector policies to stimulate industrial development. 

NATIONAL NEWS
 

Minister for Civil Aviation Dedicates First Integrated Heliport to the Nation

The First Integrated Heliport was dedicated to the Nation by Ministry of Civil Aviation in association with Pawan Hans today at Rohini Heliport, Delhi. After inaugurating the facility the Minister for Civil Aviation Shri Ashok Gajapathi Raju said that the heliport was an excellent infrastructure but pointed out that helicopter services in India are still at a nascent stage. 
●    He added that the facility will keep the cost under control as MRO facility has been incorporated. This would also help in job creation. Speaking to media later, he said that joy rides have a future. He also expressed the hope that the pilot training centre would come up soon.
●    The Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Shri Jayant Sinha said that the Aviation sector is making history almost every day and that the heliport is one such event. 
●    The Secretary for Civil Aviation, Shri R.N. Choubey said that it is part of National Aviation Policy to have four heliports, one in each region and Rohini’s heliport is the first step. He also said that helicopter operations could be shifted from I.G.I to Rohini. 
●    The Rohini heliport has been completed in almost two years at a cost of nearly 100 crores. 
●    The Heliport consists of a terminal building having capacity of 150 passengers, 4 hangers with parking capacities for 16 helicopters and 9 parking bays. 

NATIONAL NEWS

4th India-CLMV Business Conclave Inaugurated by Sitharaman  

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Nirmala Sitharaman will inaugurate the 4th India CLMV Business Conclave here on Monday.
●    The 4th India CLMV (Cambodia, Laos, PDR, Myanmar and Vietnam) Business Conclave will have deliberations on manufacturing, renewable energy, agriculture and skilling among others.
●    Aimed at identifying specific project opportunities and seek business partnerships in the region, the two-day programme will consist of business to business meetings and sectoral sessions.
●    The conclave will focus on sectors such as Pharma, Healthcare, manfAgri Business, Food processing, Gems and Jewellery, Textiles, Leather, Renewable Energy and education.
●    It will be addressed by Pan Sorasak, Minister of Commerce, Cambodia; Dr Than Myint, Union Minister, Minister of Commerce, Myanmar; Cao Quoc Hung; Vice Minister of Industry and Trade, Vietnam.
●    Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje is also expected to attend the conclave to be organised by CII and the ministry of commerce and industries.

APPOINTMENTS

Nand Kumar Sai assumes charge as Chairman of National Commission for Scheduled Tribes 

Senior tribal leader from Chhattisgarh and ex parliamentarian Shri Nand Kumar Sai assumed charge as the chairman of National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) today in New Delhi.
●    Speaking on the occasion Shri Sai said it will be his endeavor to protect rights of tribal living in far flung areas of the country. He said a large percentage of tribals in our country are still not aware of their rights guaranteed to them by the constitutions. Shri Sai said he will see to it that NCST is converted into an important tool for the overall social economic development of STs in the country.
●    Earlier on his arrival to the office of NCST, Shri Sai was greeted by Vice Chairperson of NCST Miss Anusuia Uikey, Members Shri Bari Krishna Damor and Shri Harshadbhai Chunilal Vasava and Secretary of the Commission Shri Raghav Chandra.
●    Born on January 1, 1946 at village Bhagora of Jaspur District in Chhattisgarh Shri Sai studied at NES college Jashpur and obtained Post Graduate degree in Political Science from Pt. Ravi Shankar Shukla University, Raipur.
●    Shri Sai was elected to MP legislative assembly in 1977, 1985 and 1998. He was elected to Chhattisgarh legislative assembly in 2000 and was the first leader of opposition in the assembly. Shri Sai was elected to Lok sabha in 1989, 1996 and 2004. He was also elected to Rajya Sabha in 2009 and 2010. He also served as member of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Coal and Steel and member of the Parliamentary consultative committee of Ministry of Urban Development and Ministry of Social Justice and empowerment.

NATIONAL NEWS

Parshottam Rupala launches NDDB’s Cattle Feed Knowledge Portal

The Union Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Shri Parshottam Rupala has said that agriculture is the backbone of rural economy in the country and dairying plays an important role in it. Even though India is the largest milk producer in the world, there is ample scope to improve per animal productivity. 
●    Shri Rupala stated it while inaugurating a National Workshop on Improving Feed Production Efficiency & Quality Control Aspects of Cattle Feed Plants organized by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) in Anand, today. 
●    Shri Dilip Patel, Member of Parliament, Shri Dilip Rath, Chairman, NDDB and Dr HPS Makkar, FAO, Rome graced the occasion. Around 200 cattle feed plant professionals from all over the country participated.
●    The Chairman, NDDB informed that the dairy cooperative network produces about 3.6 million tonnes per annum with an installed capacity of about 5 million tonnes in 70 cattle feed plants. 
●    In addition the private sector produces an additional 4.5 million tonnes. A total of 8 million tonnes per annum is sufficient for only about 8 million of the more than 100 million breedable animals.
●    During the workshop issues related to cattle feed production, quality control aspects in a feed plant, improving feed production efficiency, latest trends in feed milling operation, least cost feed formulation and modernization of a quality control lab were discussed in details.

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NATIONAL NEWS

Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi chairs 75th meeting of Central Waqf Council in New Delhi, today

The Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs (Independent Charge) & Parliamentary Affairs Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said that some vested interests are creating various obstacles in development of waqf properties and utilisation of these properties for welfare of the society. Shri Naqvi said that serious irregularities in some State Waqf Boards have also come to notice. A high-level inquiry has been going on into these matters and strict action will be taken against those people who are responsible. Shri Naqvi stated it while addressing the 75th meeting of Central Waqf Council in New Delhi, today. 
●    There are about 4,49,314 registered and non-registered waqf properties across the country. The number of these properties will be increased after computerisation of waqf boards. It has also been come to our notice that some waqf boards are not registering the waqf properties properly during the computerisation process. Strict action is being taken in such complaints.  
●    Shri Naqvi said that in the Budget 2017-18, Rs 3.30 crore has been allocated for computerisation of records of state waqf boards; Rs 9.70 crore have been given for strengthening of state waqf boards while Rs 3.18 crore have been allocated as grants-in-aid to Waqf.  
●    The Budget of Minority Affairs Ministry has been increased to Rs 4195.48 crore for 2017-18. This is Rs 368.23 crore more than 2016-17 Budget of Rs 3827.25 crore with an increase of about 9.6 per cent.

NATIONAL NEWS

Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurates Jammu Art Exhibition at Delhi

The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurated a group exhibition of paintings by Jammu artists at Lalit Kala Akademi here today. 
●    While inaugurating the exhibition, he said that Jammu has creative talent in abundance, but needs more exposure. 
●    Dr Jitendra Singh said that more updated and latest methods of art propagation should be adopted. Elaborating further, he said, for example, in today’s time, an artist can use social media options to achieve worldwide reach for his creation even without booking a gallery hall or spending much money. 
●    Accompanied by artists Mahesh Sharma, Vijay Anand and Sanjay Sharma, the Minister discussed the theme and the colour technique with the respective artists. 
●    The various displays put up in the exhibition included abstract paintings with focus on essence of nature, figurative and realistic works representing the magnanimous landscape and paintings with bold palette nice strokes.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

India & Ukraine to strengthen bilateral cooperation through Cinema

India and Ukraine have agreed to strengthen the bilateral cooperation between the twocountries through the medium of Cinema. The cooperation would be worked out through a policy and institutional framework to showcase films through the medium of Film Festivals and utilizing the Film Facilitation Office platform established by India. 
●    The screening of films with subtitles was also discussed in order to reach out to people. These issues were discussed during the meeting between Shri M Venkaiah Naidu, Minister for Information & Broadcasting and Ukrainian delegation led by Mr. Iurii Artemenko, Member of the Parliament of Ukraine and Chairman of the National Council of Television and Radio Broadcasting of Ukraine today in New Delhi. 
●    Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore and Secretary I&B were also present during the discussions.
●    During the discussions, Shri Naidu said that Ministry of Information & Broadcasting would extend all possible support to promote exchange programs between public broadcasters of the two countries, content creation, screening and distribution of films. The possibility of translating programs and content and providing subtitles in respective languages of both the countries was also discussed with respect to the Public Broadcasters of both the countries.
●    Mr. Iurii Artemenko, said that Ukraine Government were taking efforts to organise an Indian Film Festival in Ukraine to promote Cultural ties between the two countries through the medium of Cinema. 
●    He extended a personal invitation to I&B Minister for the Film Festival to be organised in the near future. He also expressed interest for showcasing programmes based on Indian weddings, Touristic places such as Rajasthan and different Indian Cuisines.

NATIONAL NEWS

Bet Dwarka Darshan Circuit to be developed under HRIDAY

Union Ministry of Urban Development on 23 February 2017 approved the development of 6-kilometer-long Bet Dwarka Darshan Circuit in Gujarat. 
●    The circuit will be developed at an expense of Rs 16.27 crore under the Central Scheme ‘Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY)’.
●    The Bet Dwarka Darshan Circuit that connects the famous Dwarkadish Haveli and Hanuman Dandi was approved by the HRIDAY National Empowered Committee chaired by Rajiv Gauba, Secretary (UD). 
●    Hanuman Dandi is the only temple housing Hanumanji and his son Makardhwaj, in Dwarka district of Gujarat.
●    Ranchod Talav and Shankhudhar Lake are the two important water bodies along the circuit.
●    Darshan Circuit works to be taken up include 
●    Development of streets and pedestrian pathways
●    Laying of cycle tracks along beach side and plantation, LED lighting and plazas for vending spaces
●    Other facilities includes the provision of benches, changing rooms, resting spaces, drinking water and toilet facilities
●    Craft and food bazaar will be developed

AWARDS

Oscar Awards 2017 conferred

The 89th Academy Awards, popularly called Oscar Awards, were conferred on 26 February 2017 (27 February 2017 as per Indian time). The award ceremony was held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles.
●    The Oscar Awards for the year 2017 were presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) in 24 categories.
●    The nominees for the 89th Oscar Awards were announced on 24 January 2017, via global live stream from the Academy. Movie La La Land received the most nominations with a record-tying fourteen.
●    Best Film - Moonlight
●    Best Actor - Casey Affleck (Manchester By The Sea)
●    Best actress - Emma Stone (La La Land)
●    Best Dayrector- La La Land
●    Best Supporting Aktres - Viola Davies (fence)
●    Best Supporting Actor- Mahershala Ali (Moonlight)
●    Edited Skriple - Moonlight
●    Original Song - City of Stars (La La Land)
●    Origen score - La La Land
●    Best Cinematography - La La Land
●    Best Animated Feature - Jutopia
●    Best Animated Short Film - mentha
●    Best Foreign Language Film - The salesmen
●    Best Visual Effects - The Jungle Book
●    Best Production Design - La La Land
●    Best Sound Editing - Arrival
●    Best Sound Mixing - Hakso Ridge
●    Best Makeup and Heyrstail- Suicide Squad
●    Best Costume Design - Fantastic Beast and Where to Find Them

PERSONS

Mahershala Ali is the first Muslim actor to win an Oscar

In an expected but triumphant win for Best Actor in a Supporting Role during the 89th Academy Awards, Mahershala Ali gave a humble speech, thanking those in his life who helped him achieve such a deserved feat.
●    “I want to thank my teachers, my professors,” the “Moonlight” actor began. “One thing they consistently told me was that it wasn’t about you. 
●    It’s not about you, it’s about these characters, you are a servant. You’re in service to these stories and these characters.” 
●    He went on to thank “Moonlight” director Barry Jenkins and the film’s cast and crew. He also nodded to his wife and daughter, who was born four days ago.
●    “I want to thank her for being such a soldier through this process, and carrying me through it all,” he said, in an elegant kickoff to the night.
●    Ali is the first Muslim actor to win an Oscar, a particularly notable achievement in 2017, when the White House has placed travel restrictions on individuals from several Muslim-majority nations. 
●    This win also makes Ali the fifth black actor to achieve a Supporting Actor Oscar. 
 

SPORTS

ISSF World Cup: Pooja Ghatkar Clinches Bronze in 10m Air Rifle Event

Pooja Ghatkar overcame some technical issues to clinch the women's 10m air rifle bronze medal as India opened their account on a positive note in the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup here on Friday.
●    The 28-year-old Ghatkar, a former Asian champion, shot 228.8 in the final of 10m air rifle to finish third on the podium and win her maiden World Cup medal, at the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range.
●    China's Mengyao Shi won the gold medal with a score of 252.1, setting a new world record in the event. Mengyao's compatriot Dong Lijie bagged the silver with a score of 248.9 on day one of competitions.
●    Ghatkar, who had missed out on a Rio Olympic Games quota place by a whisker last year, said she was looking ahead having buried that chapter.
●    Ghatkar, who started the final with a 10.4, was consistent with her scores barring a couple of blips and was placed second with 104.6 at the end of first competition stage.

NATIONAL NEWS

RAHAT medical project launched in Rajasthan

The Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Vasundhara Raje inaugurated a medical project called Rajasthan Heart Attack Treatment programme (RAHAT), launched by Eternal Heart Care Center Hospital in Jaipur, on 25 February 2017.
●    The programme involves creation and management of a telemedicines platform to treat ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI), a very serious type of heart attack.
●    The telemedicines platform will help capture and transmit patient's EKG along with clinical history from remote geographical locations to the heart command center (HCC) hub, where a team of expert cardiologists will provide an immediate interpretation of the EKG and real time STEMI guidance and management through tele-consultation after instantly recognising the EKG abnormalities. 
●    The programme aims to provide timely treatment to those who undergo heart attack in rural and remote areas.
●    Under it, the patients suffering a stroke would be provided with immediate ambulance service and telemedicine service.

Dear Aspirants,

We bring you the Latest  (Gk)General Knowledge, Daily Current Affairs news, Events, General awareness Today  26th February 2017 Section in FREE PDF (English & Hindi), a section which outlines the latest important news, Events headlines which are hardly covered elsewhere.

NATIONAL NEWS

EPFO introduces single page composite claim form for withdrawing money

Employees' Provident Fund Organization (EPFO), the retirement body of India, on 21 February 2017 introduced single page composite claim form. 
●    The form will allow its subscribers to withdraw money from their PF account at an ease.
●    Earlier, employees/subscribers were supposed to fill and submit three different forms to EPFO for withdrawing provident fund for different purposes.
●    The form does not require employers’ attestation, but the facility will be applicable only for those subscribers whose Aadhaar number and bank account details are seeded with their Universal Account Number (UAN).
●    Subscribers who want to seed Aadhaar and bank details with their Universal Account Number will have to fill a new composite claim form, which replaces the existing Forms 19, 10C and 31 for filing claims. 
●    The new single-page form can be submitted with the attestation of employers.

ECONOMY

CBEC launched a mobile application for Goods and Services Tax

The Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) on 23 February 2017 launched a mobile application for Goods and Services Tax (GST). The app will inform the taxpayers of the latest updates on GST among others.
●    The mobile application for GST was launched in-line to the Union Government’s Digital India Initiative. The application will provide latest updates on GST to the taxpayers.
●    The application will help taxpayers to access certain information related to the GST like
●    Migration to GST-Approach and guidelines for migration
●    Draft Law-Model GST Law, GST Compensation and Law IGST Law
●    Draft Rules-Rules related to Registration, Payment, Returns, Refund and Invoice
●    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on GST
●    Various resources on GST like videos and articles among others
●    Links related to website as well as email and helpdesk contacts
●    At present, the application is available for the android platforms. The iOS version of the application will be launched soon.
 

APPOINTMENTS

Former Nagaland CM Zeliang appointed as Finance Advisor to state government

TR Zeliang, the former Chief Minister of Nagaland, was appointed as the finance advisor to the state government on 25 February 2017. He was appointed as the finance advisor in the rank of a Cabinet Minister.
●    An official releases said, ‘Zeliang, appointed by the Governor PB Acharya, will receive the pay and allowances and all other facilities admissible to a cabinet minister’.
●    Zeliang has resigned from the chief ministership on 19 February 2017. 
●    He resigned from the post on the protest and demand of the Joint Coordination Committee and Nagaland Tribal Action Committee. His resignation was demanded his decision to hold elections to urban bodies with 33 per cent reservation for women.
●    From 2014 to February 2017, he had served Nagaland as its Chief Minister.
●    Born on 21 February 1952, Zeliang is a political leader of Nagaland People's Front.
●    He resigned from the office of chief minister of the state in the backdrop of protests in the state.
●    Earlier, he had served India as a Member of Parliament. In Parliament, he represented his state in the Rajya Sabha.

NATIONAL NEWS

 PM Modi unveils 112 ft bust of 'Adiyogi’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 24 February 2017 unveiled the 112-foot bust of ‘Adiyogi’ or Lord Shiva at the Isha Yoga Center in Coimbatore. The statue is located in the foothills of Velliangiri Mountains in the Western Ghats.
●    The bust was unveiled on the occasion of the Maha Shivaratri, a Hindu festival celebrated annually in honour of the god Shiva.
●    The bust of the Adiyogi was built in eight months by an NGO Isha Foundation. The foundation said the iconic 112-ft face of the first yogi was consecrated in celebration of the 112 methods that Lord Shiva offered towards self-transformation.
●    Before inaugurating the metallic statue face of Lord Shiva, Modi visited the Isha yoga centre and attended the Pancha Bhuta Aradhana function.
●    While addressing the gathering, PM Modi lauded the practice of yoga and said that the practice has transcended from generations and is popularly known that the journey of man from soul to Shiva is Yoga. He said, it is old, yet new.
●    Besides, before unveiling the Adiyogi bust, Modi released the book 'Adiyoga: The source of Yoga', which deals with yogic sciences.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

India to provide financial assistance to Bangladesh for development of Sylhet city

India and Bangladesh on 24 February 2017 signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide financial assistance to Bangladesh for sustainable development of Sylhet, a north-eastern Bangladeshi city.
●    Under the MoU three development projects will be taken up in Sylhet. These projects will be developed at an expense of around Taka 240 million.
●    Projects for which financial aid will be provided under the tripartite agreement are
●    India will provide financial aid for construction of a five-storey Kinder Garten and High School Building
●    Financial aid will be provided for construction of a six-storey cleaner colony building
●    Financial aid will be provided for some development work in Dhupa Dighirpar area
●    The tripartite agreement was signed in Sylhet by Indian High Commissioner Harsh Vardhan Shringla and Bangladesh's Economic Relations Division Additional Secretary Shah Md. Aminul Haque and Sylhet City Corporation CEO Enamul Habib.
●    The signing was the follow-up of an earlier MoU which was signed between India and Bangladesh in April 2013 for the implementation of sustainable development projects in socio-economic sectors of Bangladesh.

GLOBAL NEWS

 Trump administration revokes law protecting transgender students

 US President Donald Trump’s administration on 22 February 2017 rolled back Obama’s protection law for transgender students that allowed them to use the bathroom and locker room of their choice in public schools.
●    In May 2016, Barack Obama had instructed all the public schools in the United States to allow transgender students to openly choose their gender identity and use the bathrooms and locker rooms that matched with it. 
●    This measure was taken in accordance with Title IX, the federal law that bars gender discrimination in education.
●    It was seen by the transgender community as a huge progress in their fight for equal rights. 
●    Trump’s administration revoked the protection arguing that the state and public schools should have the authority to make their own decisions without interference from federal authority.
●    The decision to revoke the order was announced by the Department of Justice and Department of Education.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

India, Uganda agreed to cooperate in space programme and atomic energy

 India and Uganda on 22 February 2017 agreed to cooperate in various fields like the space programme, vocational training and peaceful use of atomic energy. 
●    The agreements were announced in a joint press conference by the Vice President Hamid Ansari and Ugandan President Yoweri Kauta Museveni in State House at Entebbe, the official residence of President.
●    VP Ansari was in Uganda during the second leg of 2-nation of his visit to East Africa, namely Rwanda and Uganda. He was in Rwanda from 19 February to 21 February 2017 and in Uganda from 21 February to 23 February 2017.
●    Besides these agreements, the Vice President held talks with President Yoweri Museveni at the State House. 
●    During this meet, the two leaders reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral cooperation. They also committed to work together in trade, investment, agriculture, defence cooperation and IT among others.
●    In addition, President Museveni called Indian companies to manufacture automobiles locally, which would help the country in discouraging import of cars. 
●    It seems that this call for assembling and manufacturing vehicles locally in Uganda would provide a new market to Indian manufacturers.

Dear Aspirants,

We bring you the Latest  (Gk)General Knowledge, Daily Current Affairs news, Events, General awareness Today  25th February 2017 Section in FREE PDF (English & Hindi), a section which outlines the latest important news, Events headlines which are hardly covered elsewhere.

India's only active volcano is back from the dead after 150 years

Barren Islands volcano, India's only active volcano, is reportedly spewing lava and ash after a gap of 150 years.

• It erupted for about four hours in January, scientists from the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) claimed.
• The volcano is situated in Barren Islands in the Andaman & Nicobar archipelago.
• Some unsubstantiated reports even claim that it is South Asia's only active volcano.
• Its first recorded eruption dates back to 1787. Since then, the volcano has erupted more than ten times, including the one this year.
• The samples collected by the NIO team will help in deciphering the nature of the present and past volcanic activity in the region.
• The team, however, did not land on the island because it was considered too dangerous.
• Scientists from CSIR-NIO have been surveying the Andaman Basin and they have identified many small submerged volcanoes in a linear chain called a volcanic arc.

Kurukh language given official status by Bengal Government

• The West Bengal government today gave official status to Kurukh language, listed as an endangered language by the UNESCO, to mark the International Mother Language Day, which is observed to mark the language movement in the then East Pakistan in 1952.
• Announcing this at a function to celebrate the day, state Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that official recognition would also be given to Rajbangshi/Kamtapuri language spoken in parts of north Bengal.
• She said that around 16 lakh Oraon people spoke Kurukh language in Bengal and that the language had been identified as a vulnerable language in the UNESCO's list of endangered languages.
• The chief minister lamented the apathy among a section of people in the state in learning or speaking Bengali.
• Marking the movement in Bangladesh in 1952 for recognition of Bengali as an official language when it was part of Pakistan, February 21 has been recognised as the International Mother Language Day by the United Nations.

NATIONAL NEWS

CCEA approved SJVN’s investment proposal in Arun-3 Hydro Electric Project

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved an investment proposal of the Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (SJVN) in Nepal’s Arun-3 Hydro Electric Project
(HEP).

NATIONAL NEWS

Union Government clears Coastal Surveillance Project

The Ministry of Defence on 21 February 2017 gave its in-principle approval to set up 38 radar stations to boost surveillance of the country’s 7,517 km long coastline.

• The approval for the project was given at a meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by the Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar in New Delhi.
• The project will be executed at a cost of Rs 800 crore by the Bengaluru-based Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).
• Apart from the 38 static radar stations, 4 mobile surveillance stations will also be set up under the project.
• These surveillance stations will be integrated with the Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) in the Gulf of Kutch and Khambatt.
• These stations are in addition to 46 radar stations, which have already been set up under the Phase I of the Static Sensor Chain Project.
• The project seeks to set up gap-less electronic surveillance along India’s coastline.

NATIONAL NEWS

Defence Security Corps Celebrates 70th Raising Day

Defence Security Corps (DSC), which was raised on 25 February 1947 as ‘Defence Department Constabulary’, celebrated its 70th Raising Day on 25 February 2017.

• DSC troops have been providing security to various sensitive defence and civil installations across the length and breadth of the Country since 1947.
• On the occasion of the 70th Raising Day, Lieutenant General JS Cheema, Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Information System & Training) and Colonel Commandant of DSC, congratulated all ranks and complimented them for their relentless efforts in guarding sensitive Defence and civil establishments.
• On this solemn occasion, he also remembered the supreme sacrifices made by the martyrs of the Corps, exhorted all ranks to seek inspiration from their valour and felicitated eight Junior Commissioned Officers and Other Ranks for their distinguished service.
• So far, DSC has been awarded three Vir Chakras, one Kirti Chakra, four Shaurya Chakras, ten Sena Medals, two Vishisht Seva Medals and fifteen Chief of Army, Air and Naval Staff Commendation Cards.

NATIONAL NEWS

61 CAVALRY Bags the Army Polo Championship

The famous Army Polo Championship that commenced on 31 Jan 2017 saw a thrilling final match on Friday between 61 CAVALRY and Army Service Corps after tough round of

• Army has dominated Equestrian Sports for a long time producing a large number of Asian Games medalists, World Cup players, Padam Shree and Arjuna awardees and is pursuing it as part of it’s Mission Olympics programme.
• Lt Col Ravi Rathore who is the highest handicapped polo player in Indian Army has also played four World Cups for the Indian Polo Team.
• Lt Gen RV Kanitkar, Quarter Master General, presented the Army Polo Championship Trophy to 61 CAVLARY in the presence of a big audience including many senior officers

DEFENCE

Indian Coast Guard Ship ICGS AYUSH commissioned in Kochi

Indian Coast Guard Ship ICGS AYUSH was commissioned on 18 February 2017 in Kochi, Kerala. The ship was commissioned by Vice Admiral AR Karwe, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command.

• The fast patrol vessel (FPV) is fitted with state-of- the-art navigational and communication equipment including Integrated Bridge System (IBS) and Machinery Control System (MCS).
• The ship is capable of undertaking multifarious tasks such as surveillance, interdiction, search and rescue and medical evacuation.
• Post commissioning, the ship will be based at Krishnapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.
• The vessel will be under the administrative and operational control of Commander, Coast Guard Region.
• The Cochin Shipyard was incorporated in the year 1972 as a fully owned company by the Union Government.

DISCOVERY

Scientists discover drowned Pacific Ocean continent Zealandia

A group of scientists have claimed to discover a continent two-thirds the size of Australia beneath the south-west Pacific Ocean.

• The discovery was recently reported in a paper titled Zealandia: Earth's Hidden Continent in the journal of the Geological Society of America.
• This newly proposed continent is about 1.74 million square miles in size and 94 percent submerged. However, the continent protrudes above the ocean surface in the form of New Zealand and New Caledonia.
• Zealandia, also known as Tasmantis, is a nearly submerged continental fragment that sank after breaking away from Australia 60–85 million years ago.
• The continent had separated from Antarctica between 85 and 130 million years ago.
• It may have been completely submerged about 23 million years ago, and 93 per cent of it remains submerged beneath the Pacific Ocean. However, it is still unknown how strongly Bollons Seamount remains connected to the continent.
• The continent supports substantial inshore fisheries and contains New Zealand's largest gas field, near Taranaki.

Dear Aspirants,

We bring you the Latest  (Gk)General Knowledge, Daily Current Affairs news, Events, General awareness Today  24th February 2017 Section in FREE PDF (English & Hindi), a section which outlines the latest important news, Events headlines which are hardly covered elsewhere.

APPOINTMENTS

Abhijit Sarkar appointed Vice Chairman of Asian Hockey Federation

The Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) on 21 February 2017 confirmed the appointment of Abhijit Sarkar as its new Vice Chairman.
●    Sarkar was also appointed the Chairman of the AHF Commercial and TV Committee with immediate effect.
●    The decision to appoint Sarkar was taken after an Executive Board Meeting held on 7 February 2017.
●    Sarkar has been associated with the Sahara India Pariwar since 2004. 
●    He has also served as the Head of Corporate Communications, Corporate Affairs and Relations, and the Sports Division at Sahara India Pariwar.
●    The Asian Hockey Federation is the governing body for the sport of field hockey in Asia.
●    At present, it has 30 member associations.
●    It is affiliated to the International Hockey Federation (FIH).
●    The current president of AHF is Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah.

AWARDS

Sahitya Akademi awards 2016 presented to 24 authors

Sahitya Akademi Awards 2016 were conferred on twenty-four writers on 22 February 2017. 
●    The eminent authors were conferred with the award/honour for writing in as different Indian languages.
●    The awards were conferred on them at the annual Festival of Letters. The festival, which began 21 February 2017, will continue till 26 February 2017. 
●    The distinguished physicist and Marathi writer Jayant Vishnu Narlikar was the chief guest of the award ceremony.
●    The awards were conferred in different genres and they included poetry, essay, short story, novel, criticism and play.
●    Sahitya Akademi award is a literary honour that is conferred annually on Indian authors/writers for their outstanding works of literary merit. 
●    The award established in 1954 is given on books of literary merit written in any of the major languages of India. 
●    Indian film-maker Satyajit Ray is the designer of the plaque awarded by the Sahitya Akademi.

NATIONAL NEWS

 Ministry of Railways dedicated Antyodaya Express to the nation

Union Minister of Railways Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu on 22 February 2017 dedicated Antyodaya Express to the nation at the Delhi Safdarjung Station. 
●    The Railway Board Chairman AK Mital was present on this occasion.
●    Antyodaya Express is a long-distance, fully unreserved and super fast train service for the common man. 
●    These trains, which will be operated only on dense routes, were proposed for the first time by Suresh Prabhu in his 2016-17 Railway Budget speech.
●    These coaches are fully unreserved Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) second class coaches with the following additional amenities:
●    Cushioned luggage racks which can serve as seats
●    Additional hand holds in doorway area
●    J-hook near longitudinal luggage racks
●    Multiple unit cables at both ends of the coach
●    Vestibuled ends for internal movement of the passengers
●    Potable drinking water dispenser
●    Mobile charging points
●    Fire extinguisher with anti-theft lock
●    FRP (Fibre Reinforced Plastic) Modular Toilets
●    Pleasing interior colour scheme
●    Display boards to indicate toilet occupancy
●    Light Emitting Diodes
●    SS Slip-free flooring at doorway and gangway
●    Anti-graffiti coating for exterior painting

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Union Cabinet approved signing of bilateral Air Services Agreement with Greece

The Union Cabinet gave its approval for signing of a bilateral Air Services Agreement (ASA) with Greece.
●    The approval was given at a meeting of the Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 22 February 2017 in New Delhi.
●    Under the agreement, both the countries shall be entitled to designate one or more airline.
●    The designated airlines of either country shall have the right to establish offices in the territory of the other country for the promotion and sale of air
services.
●    The designated airlines of the two countries shall have fair and equal opportunity to operate on specified routes.
●    As per the Route Schedule, the Indian carriers can operate to Athens, Thessaloniki, HerakIion and any 3 points to be specified later in Greece from points in
India.
●    The carriers of Greece can establish direct operation to 6 metros - New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Chennai.
●    Any points shall be available as ‘intermediate’ as well as ‘beyond point’ destinations for the designated carriers of India as well as the designated carriers
of Greece.

OBITUARY

Hindi novelist Ved Prakash Sharma breathes his last

Popular Hindi novelist Ved Prakash Sharma, who has 176 novels to his credit, breathed his last on February 17. 
●    The 62-year-old wasn’t keeping well since the last few months and had developed some infection and complications which led to his demise. 
●    His family members confirmed the news on Saturday.
●    Born on June 10, 1955 in Meerut city of Uttar Pradesh, India, he started his career as a ghost writer. 
●    After penning down as many as 23 novels, he got credit as a writer for the novel Dahekte Shaher in the year 1973. 
●    His other books which broke records and added to his popularity included Qaidi No 100 and Vardi Wala Gunda.
●    Sharma had also written scripts for about half-a-dozen Hindi movies. His novel Bahu Maange Insaaf was made into a Bollywood film in 1985. 
●    The 1992 film “Anaam” and the 1995 Akshay Kumar starrer “Sabse Bada Khiladi” were made on stories based on Sharma’s novels. 
●    Later, he also wrote the screenplay for the movie “International Khiladi” which released in the year 1999.

APPOINTMENTS

London Appoints First Woman Scotland Yard Chief in 187 Years

Britain's Home Secretary Amber Rudd announced that a female police officer would be the next Commissioner of the Scotland Yard
●    Cressida Dick's appointment to the top job at Scotland Yard means that for the first time in its history, Britain's biggest police force will be run by a
woman, Xinhua news agency reported.
●    So important is the role of 'Britain's top cop' that Dick was appointed by Queen Elizabeth II following a recommendation from the Home Secretary.
●    The Metropolitan Police or Met, as it is commonly known, is the largest police force in Britain, with more than 43,000 employees and an annual budget of over 3
billion pounds ($3.74 billion).
●    Rudd said the new police chief was taking on one of the most demanding, high-profile and important jobs in British policing, against the backdrop of a
heightened terror alert and evolving threats from fraud and cyber crime.

NATIONAL NEWS

India is world’s largest arms importer: SIPRI

India was the world’s largest importer of major arms in the last five years and its overseas procurement was far greater than that of China and Pakistan, a Stockholm-
based think-tank said on Monday. 
●    As per latest report of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), India accounted for 13 per cent of the total global arms import between
2012–16 which is highest among all the countries.
●    UP Assembly Elections 2017: Booked In Rape Case, SP's Gayatri Prajapati Breaks Down During Rally
●    The report said while China was increasingly able to substitute arms imports with indigenous products, India remained dependent on weapons technology from
Russia, the US, Europe, Israel and South Korea.
●    It said India increased its arms imports by 43 per cent between 2007–11 and 2012–16 and in the last four years its global procurement was far greater than
those of its regional rivals China and Pakistan.
●    Saudi Arabia was the second largest arms importer in 2012-16, with an increase of 212 per cent compared with 2007–11. Arms imports by Qatar went up by 245 per
cent.

GLOBAL NEWS

Brazilian Foreign Minister Jose Serra resigns

 Brazilian Foreign Minister Jose Serra resigned over health reasons, according to a letter he sent to President Michel Temer.
●    Serra, 74, who in December underwent spinal surgery, on Wednesday said that his health problems prevent him from "maintaining the pace of international trips
that go with the duties of Foreign Minister".
●    Serra took over as foreign minister for the Temer government on May 12, 2016, after former President Dilma Rousseff was barred from carrying out her
presidential duties, being deposed in August over irregularities in the public accounts.
●    Serra's departure poses yet another obstacle for Temer, who for the past several weeks has been seeking a new attorney general to replace Alexandre de Moraes,
who was named a Supreme Court justice.
●    Serra ran as the presidential candidate for the Brazilian Social Democratic Party (PSDB) in 2002 and 2010, and there had been speculation that he might run
again in 2018, although his health problems now would appear to make such a move out of the question.