Current Affairs – May – 3 – Suresh Prabhu flags off Ahmedabad-Chennai Humsafar express:

NATIONAL

Suresh Prabhu flags off Ahmedabad-Chennai Humsafar express:

    Western Railways First Humsafar Express between Ahmedabad and Chennai was flagged off by Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu at a function through video conferencing held at Udvada town in Valsad district.

Humsafar Express, comprising the air-conditioned three-tier coaches, aims at providing a luxurious travelling experience to the common man.

Six months after note ban, Telangana tops in digital transactions:

    Nearly six months after the government announced its demonetisation drive, the southern states of Telangana, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh lead the country in digital transactions.

Data from the IT ministry shows Telangana clocking 5900 e-transactions per 1000 people, with Kerala and Andhra Pradesh registering 4300 and 4100 respectively.

MP first to switch to Jan-Dec fiscal year:

    Madhya Pradesh has become the first state to switch to the January-December financial year from the existing April-March cycle, with the state cabinet. The move breaks a 150-year tradition as India started adopting the April-March financial year from 1867.

So, now the Budget session of the next financial year will be held either in December 2017 or January 2018, state Public Relations Minister Narottam Mishra.

Banking & Business

AIIB grants $160 million for Andhra Pradesh power project:

    China-sponsored Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank approved USD 160 million loan for a power project in Andhra Pradesh, the first credit from the bank for an Indian project.

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), in which India is the second largest shareholder after China, has approved the project with the objective to strengthen the power transmission and distribution system in Andhra Pradesh.

India to launch new IIP series with 2011-12 base year on May 9:

    India will unveil a new series of Index of Industrial Production with a base year 2011-12 on May 9 with an aim to map economic activities more accurately.

The new series for Index of Industrial Production (IIP), which captures industrial activities on monthly basis, will be launched by Chief Statistician and MOSPI Secretary TCA Anant.

AWARDS

Rajive Kaul gets diplomatic service award from South Korea:

    Chairman of Nicco group and past president of CII Rajive Kaul was conferred with the Order of Diplomatic Service Merit Sungnye Medal of the Republic of Korea for his services rendered as honorary consul general of South Korea in Kolkata.

The award was conferred by the acting President and Prime Minister of South Korea Hwang Kyo-ahn at a programme in New Delhi.

APPOINTMENTS

Bharti Enterprises appoints Soumen Ghosh as MD, financial services:

    Bharti Enterprises has appointed Soumen (“Sam”) Ghosh as managing director, financial services. 

In his new role, Ghosh will build strategic business value proposition for Bharti’s financial services businesses and will be responsible for further strengthening the management processes, business expansion.

Cyient appoints former US Ambassador to Board:

    Cyient Limited has appointed former US Ambassador Vinai Thummalapally to its Board of Directors. Ambassador Thummalapally will also serve on the Board’s Leadership, Nomination & Remuneration and Diversity & Inclusion committees.

SPORTS

India slips to No. 4 in T20 rankings

India has lost six points to slip to fourth position in the latest ICC T20I team rankings. The Virat Kohli-led team is now on 118 points, three behind Pakistan, which has joined second-placed England after gaining five points but is ranked behind the latter by a fraction of a point. New Zealand is on top with 125 points.

Bangladesh bowler banned for 10 years:

Bangladesh, imposed a 10-year ban on Sujon Mahmud of Lalmatia Club, a bowler who deliberately lost a match recently by conceding 92 runs off just four legal deliveries in protest at umpiring decisions.

Selby retains title:

    England’s Mark Selby produced a magnificent comeback to beat John Higgins 18-15 in the final of the World snooker championship at Crucible Theatre and win the global crown for the third time.

Selby became only the fourth player after Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O’Sullivan to win back-to-back titles since the event was first held at the Crucible in 1977.

Historic Events of the Day

World Press Freedom Day 2017 is observed on May 3rd every Year:

Every year, 3rd May is a date which celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom; to evaluate press freedom around the world, to defend the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession.

To celebrate fundamental principles of press freedom of this year, UNESCO leads the worldwide celebration on May 1-4 in Jakarta, Indonesia.

OBITUARY

Ex-Minister Bijit Saikia passes away:

    Former Assam Minister Bijit Saikia of the Congress died in a private nursing home. He was 75. He was elected to the state Assembly from Tezpur constituency and held various positions in Congress.