Current Affairs December 28, 2017
Current Affairs December 28, 2017
NATIONAL
President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated Four Projects for Andhra Pradesh
The President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, inaugurated four projects of the State Government at Velagapudi, Andhra Pradesh.
The Projects were Andhra Pradesh Fibregrid Project, Andhra Pradesh Surveillance Project, Drone Project; and Free Space Optical Communication (FSOC) system. The President focused on the 24/7 hyper-connected world and the online presence of the government.
The vision of Fibre Grid project is to establish a highly scalable network infrastructure, with end-to-end broadband connectivity of 15 Mbps for all households and 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps for institutions & Offices by 2018. AP State FiberNet Limited (APSFL) is responsible for undertaking the works of AP Fibergrid.
The state also plans to employ drones in area like tourism, agriculture, mines, forests and irrigation projects to monitor real-time situations in an area, and deploying multiple drones can help the police keep a tab on traffic and crime.
Andhra Pradesh
Capital: Hyderabad
Chief Minister: N Chandrababu Naidu
Governor: ESL Narasimhan
Rajasthan govt sets up Automatic service ATMs at nearly 9900 Atal Seva Kendra
Rajasthan state government sets up Automatic service ATMs ‘E-Mitra Plus’ at nearly 9900 Atal Seva Kendras and 2500 urban locations situated across the state. It will work for 24*7 for 365 days.
E-plus is a more advanced system with completely human-less interface, which has linked with AADHAR and has provision for payment by cash and card. Through E-Mitra Plus 380 banking services can be accessed.
Rajasthan
Capital: Jaipur
Chief Minister: Vasundhara Raje
Governor: Kalyan Singh
Maharashtra govt sets up a development authority for Raigad Fort
Maharashtra government has set up a 17-member development authority for the Raigad Fort. It will be headed by Rajya Sabha member Sambhaji Shahu Chhatrapati. The state government had already sanctioned 500-crore rupees development plan in June 2016.
The authority will finalise a development plan for the Raigad fort and surrounding areas, including the memorial of Shivaji’s mother, Jijabai.
Maharashtra
Capital: Mumbai
Chief Minister: Devendra Fadnavis
Governor: C. Vidyasagar Rao
Atal Innovation Mission Sets up Atal Tinkering Labs across India
NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) is a Government of India’s flagship program to promote innovation and entrepreneurship nationwide in schools, universities and industry. It has selected additional 1500 Schools for establishment of Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs).
It aims to give a major boost to the vision of the mission to ‘Cultivate One Million children in India as the Innovators of tomorrow’. ATLs are innovation play workspaces for students between Grade VI to Grade XII, stimulating innovations combining science & technology.
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
India to overtake UK, France to become 5th-largest economy in 2018
The Centre for Economics and Business Research report has predicted India will become world’s 5th largest economy in dollar terms by 2018. Douglas McWilliams, Cebr deputy chairman announced, it will overtake UK and France to reach the Position.
India’s growth had been slowed temporarily because of major economic reforms, including restrictions on high-value banknotes (demonetisation) and a new national sales tax (GST).
The release also predicted that China would overtake the United States to become the world’s No.1 economy in 2032.
Currently, the Top three world’s largest economies are the US ($19.362 trillion), China ($11.937 trillion), Japan ($4.884 trillion).
IRDAI Norms Permits Insurers to Begin Offshore Business From GIFT IFSC
Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI)has issued regulations for insurance firms to carry out offshore business from Gujarat-based GIFT International Financial Services Centre (IFSC). With this, Insurance operations will get a major boost.
For the first time in the country, foreign insurers are permitted to open IFSC Insurance Office (IIO) at GIFT IFSC. It would also be allowed to undertake Domestic Insurance & Reinsurance business in line with the provisions of IRDAI regulations.
Foreign and domestic insurance companies would participate in making GIFT IFSC a hub for International Insurance business. GIFT IFSC already hosts three major insurance players, GIC Re, New India and ECGC .General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re) was the first Re-insurance company to open its office in the GIFT City.
IRDAI
Chairman: T.S.Vijayan
GIFT City Abbreviation: Gujarat International Finance-Tec City
APPOINTMENTS
Senior IPS officer Abhay has been Appointed as the DG of Narcotics Control Bureau
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Senior IPS officer Abhay as the Director General of Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).
He is currently working in Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). He replaces R R Bhatnagar.
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) is the nodal drug law enforcement and intelligence agency of India responsible for fighting drug trafficking and the abuse of illegal substances.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
Anushka Sharma has been honoured as PETA’s ‘Person of the Year’
Actress Anushka Sharma has been named PETA’s Person of the Year for her wide-reaching work for animals. The abbreviation of PETA is People for Ethical Treatment of Animals.
In 2015, Sharma was name as PETA’s Hottest Vegetarian Celebrity.
In 2016, Actor Sunny Leone has been named PETA’s Person of the Year.
PETA
President: Ingrid Newkirk
Headquarters: Mumbai
Vin Diesel named the 2017’s Top-Grossing Actor: Forbes
Vin Diesel has been named the top-grossing actor of 2017 by the Forbes. He got this honour with his $1.6 billion earnings in global ticketing receipts from the film ‘The Fate of the Furious’.
The second spot was occupied by Dwayne Johnson ‘The Rock’, with $1.5 billion receipts. ‘Wonder Woman’ actress Gal Gadot got third spot, whose films earned $1.4 billion worldwide.
K S Chitra honoured with ‘Harivarasanam’ Award
Veteran singer K S Chitra has been selected for this year’s prestigious ‘Harivarasanam’ award, instituted by the Kerala government. The award carrying a cash prize of Rs one lakh. The winner of 2016 ‘Harivarasanam’ Award is Gangai Amaran.
She was selected by a jury headed by Sabarimala high-power committee chairman Justice (ret) S Sirijagan.
SPORTS
Saudi Arabia Hosts World Chess Games for the First Time
Saudi Arabia is hosting the world chess tournament for the first time. Two years ago, the country’s top cleric issued a religious order against playing the board game.
The tournament has been named as the King Salman World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships. The world’s top three chess players from Norway, Armenia and Azerbaijan are participating in the tournament.
Saudi Arabia
Capital: Riyadh
Currency: Saudi riyal
Crown Prince: Mohammed bin Salman
Anisa clinched Gold Medal in Women’s 25m Pistol with New National Record
Haryana shooter Anisa Sayyed won the women’s 25m pistol gold with a new record at 61st National Shooting Championship Competitions (61st NSCC), in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. She beat Shital Shivaji Thorat and Rahi Sarnobat who won silver and bronze respectively.
In the junior women’s 25m pistol, another Haryana shooter Chinki Yadav won gold with another finals national record score of 31.
Statemate Gauri Sheoran won silver while Saee Ashok Godbole of Maharashtra bagged the bronze.
OBITUARY
Music legend Robbie Malinga passes away
Legendary South African musician Robbie Malinga passes away.The musician is known for his hit songs such as, ‘Sobabili’, ‘Mthanda’ and ‘Baby Please’.
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