Latest Current Affairs – February 22 2018
1. Honda appoints Gaku Nakanishi as president and CEO of India operations
Japanese auto major Honda Motor Co has announced appointment of Gaku Nakanishi as the President & CEO of Honda Cars India Ltd.
Nakanishi, who will take over from incumbent Yoichiro Ueno, will assume the role from April 1, consequent to the management changes announced annually by Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
2. India Ranks 81st In Global Corruption Perception Index
India’s ranking in the annual corruption index, released by Berlin-based non-government organisation Transparency International (TI), slid to 81 among a group of 180 countries. The Corruption Perception Index 2017 also singled out India as one of the “worst offenders” in the Asia-Pacific region.
In 2016, India was in the 79th place among 176 countries. India’s ranking in the index had plummeted in 2013 and 2014 in the wake of the spectrum and coal scams. The ranking has improved since then, but seems to be showing signs of weakening.
New Zealand and Singapore scored the highest scores with 89 and 84 out of 100, respectively. Somalia was found to be the most corrupt country in the world.
3. Delhi to get first incubation centre
The city’s first incubation centre will be set up at the Delhi Emporium to aid a “significant number of entrepreneurs”.
The incubation/innovation centre that will be housed in the emporium premises located on the Baba Kharag Marg in central Delhi.
The idea of setting up an incubation centre in Delhi was developed during the Innovation Summit in Hyderabad in November, 2017.
4. Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) for NER
An Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) has been set up for the North Eastern Region (NER). This was decided after a meeting between Secretaries of DoNER and AYUSH.
The IMC is to create synergy in various programmes of the Union Government to enable medicinal and aromatic plants sector become vibrant and develop the resources to its potential.
The IMC will facilitate coordination among Ministries and Departments in various programmes being implemented on conservation, sustainable management and development of MAPs in NER for enhancing the livelihood and economic transformation.
5. Agri centre with Israeli collaboration to come up in Mizoram
A first of its kind regional centre for agriculture for the Northeast with Israeli collaboration will be inaugurated in Mizoram on March 7. Set up with a cost of Rs 8-10 crore, the centre will exclusively process citrus fruits.
The project has come up with the tripartite collaboration of the Union ministry of agriculture and farmers, the government of Israel and the Mizoram government.
6. Parivartan scheme launched in Haryana
The Haryana government has launched Parivartan, a scheme designed to address 10 issues, including cleanliness and pollution, in 46 developmental blocks of the state.
The scheme was launched by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and 46 top officials of the state, including those from the IAS, IFS and IPS cadres, have been allotted one block each.
The 10 issues include facilitation of financing, making agriculture profitable and sustainable, improving health services, implementing Swachh Bharat, decongesting market areas, engaging the youth, checking air pollution, ensuring availability of identity-related services, effective policing, and ensuring road order and conduct.
7. Telangana, Taiwan Sign MoU For Better Technology Partnership
The Telangana Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Taoyuan City of Taiwan for better technology partnership in the state.
The World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT) 2018, concluded earlier with Telangana, India handing over the baton to Armenia for the 2019 edition.
8. India International Textiles Expo Begins In Colombo
A three –day India International Textiles Expo (IITExpo) of India began in Sri Lankan capital of Colombo.
It is being organized by Powerloom Development & Export Promotion Council (PDEXCIL) with the support of Union Ministry of Textiles & Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
At the event, about 45 exhibitors from various textile clusters of India are displaying variety of fabrics, home textiles, traditional items etc. suitable for apparel, industrial, technical application and general consumers.
9. Capital First gets NHB nod for merger with IDFC Bank
National Housing Bank (NHB) has approved the merger of the company along with Capital Home Finance and Capital First Securities Limited with IDFC Bank.
Earlier in January, the company had informed the decision of the board of directors approving amalgamation of the company, Capital First Home Finance Limited, and Capital First Securities Limited (collectively, the ‘Amalgamating Companies’) with IDFC Bank Limited.
The amalgamation is subject to the receipt of approval from the Reserve Bank of India and other statutory and regulatory approvals
10. India Successfully Conducts First Night Trial of Prithvi-II Missile
India has successfully conducted the first night trial of nuclear-capable surface-to-surface short-range ballistic missile Prithvi-II from a defence facility off Odisha coast.
The missile was test fired from a mobile launcher positioned at the launching complex III (LC-III) of the Integrated Test Range (ITR).
Mounted on a Mobile Tatra transporter-erector Launcher (MTL) and equipped with state of the art guidance system, the indigenously developed missile was fired in a real-time situation.
11. Indian scientists develop next generation technology loop to generate clean energy
Indian scientists have developed a super critical carbon di oxide Brayton test loop facility that would help generate clean energy from future power plants including solar thermal. This next generation technology loop was developed indigenously by Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.
This is India’s first test-bed for next generation, efficient, compact, waterless super critical carbon dioxide Brayton cycle test loop for power generation. The technology is perhaps the first test loop coupled with solar heat source in the world.
12. First Indian woman fighter pilot Avani Chaturvedi goes solo
Flying Officer Avani Chaturvedi has created history by becoming the first Indian woman fighter pilot to fly solo. Chaturvedi flew a MiG-21 bison in her first training solo sortie, in Jamnagar, Gujarat.
She is one of the three in the first batch of female pilots, besides Bhawana Kanth and Mohana Singh, who were inducted in Indian Air Force fighter squadron on June 18, 2016.
13. United States Most Influential Evangelist Billy Graham Dies at 99
Billy Graham, the Christian evangelist who preached to more than 200 million people in 185 countries but especially know for consuling United States presidents, has passed away. He was 99 year-old.
