Dear Friends,
Welcome to the Quick Gyan (QG) Section of D2G. QG is just a glimpse of what happened today all over the world.
Only For Serious Candidates : We strongly recommend you to read the Current Affairs in detail. For your convenience, we have provided quick links under the updates. Make use of it.
Always Keep Yourself Updated!!!
AWARDS AND HONORS
Dogri poetess Padma Sachdev awarded Krutitava Smagra Samman
Renowned Dogri poetess and writer Padma Sachdev has been awarded Krutitava Smagra Samman for 2015 by the Kolkata’s Bharatiya Bhasha Parishad. Sachdev received this award for her outstanding contribution in literature and great service to Dogri Language. West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi presented the award to the poetess. The award carries an amount of Rs. one lakh, a shawl and citation. Padma Sachdev (born 1940) is an Indian poet and novelist. She is first modern woman poet of Dogri language. She also writes in Hindi. She has published her several poetry collection including Meri Kavita Mere Geet (My Poems, My Songs) that has won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1971.
Quick Link – Krutitava Smagra Samman
France awards highest honour to Saudi Prince
President Francois Hollande has awarded the Legion d’Honneur, France’s highest honour, to visiting Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Nayef. The Crown Prince’s visit to the Elysee Palace actually took place on Friday 4 March, the same day as Mr Hollande held talks with Angela Merkel about how to cope with the refugee crisis. The French government was among the most vocal outside the Middle East in its condemnation of Saudi mass executions earlier this year, calling the kingdom’s killing of 47 people “deeply deplorable”. The Legion of Honour was founded by Napoleon in 1802, and is regarded as among the first and most prestigious modern orders of merit in the world.
Quick Link – France’s highest honour
Zee Cine Awards 2016
Zee Cine Awards 2016 is over now. Zee has taken a big initiative this year to create India’s most genuine Awards show, selected by a proper Jury. There are film category, bollywood category, jury awards
Quick Link – Zee Cine Awards
BANKING AND FINANCE
GOI to get Rs 17308 Crore dividend from Coal India Ltd
The Board of Directors of Coal India Ltd (CIL) has approved the payment of Interim dividend for the financial year 2015-16 @ Rs. 27.40 a share on the face value of Rs. 10. The payment of interim dividend would start from March 21, CIL informed stock exchanges. Earlier, CIL had fixed March 15 as the ‘record date’ for the purpose of payment of interim dividend. The total outgo for the CIL’s interim dividend would be around Rs. 20, 830 crore including the dividend distribution tax. The Government of India, which holds 79.65 per cent stake in CIL, will get Rs. 17,308 crore. The government has been able to mobilise a little over Rs 18,300 crore from divestment this fiscal year till February against the target of Rs 69,500 crore due to volatility in stock markets.
Quick Link – CIL
Announcement : Government likely to merge 27 PSU banks into 6 banks
With public sector banks reeling under tremendous pressure to tackle their dismal bad loan situation, consolidation is the way forward, and this could bring down the number of lenders to about 6 from the present 27, participants in the recently-held Gyan Sangam, a retreat for chiefs of public sector banks and financial institutions according to a report published in Hindustan Times. However, consolidations among banks will take some time so as to safeguard against disruptions in the functioning of the state-run lenders. As banks are already short-staffed, downsizing would not be required.
Quick Link – 27 PSU banks into 6 banks
GOI to set up panel for consolidation of Public Sector Banks
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that the government of India will soon set up an expert group to look into consolidation of public sector banks as the country needs stronger rather than a large number of banks. The GOI is considering Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) for PSU bank officials besides strengthening the SARFAESI Act and Debt Recovery Tribunals to deal with the problems of stressed assets that are estimated at around Rs.8 lakh crore. With regard to the rising Non—Performing Assets or bad loans, Jaitley said that besides strengthening the institutional mechanism, the government has been taking sector specific decisions to deal with the problems in segments like power, highways, sugar and steel.
Quick Link – SARFAESI
SBI gets preliminary approval for Myanmar branch
The State Bank of India is among four new foreign banks given preliminary approval to open 100 per cent-owned branches in Myanmar. The Southeast Asian nation has made this move to woo investment to the country long ruled by the military and hit by Western sanctions. The four new banks that have been given initial approval by the Central Bank of Myanmar are Vietnam’s Bank for Investment and Development, Taiwan’s E.SUN Commercial Bank, South Korea’s Shinhan Bank and the State Bank of India. The Central Bank of Myanmar said the preliminary approval is valid for 12 months during which the successful applicants will have to fulfil commitments made, take all necessary measures to ensure functional banking operation from day one of business and will have to comply with requirements laid down by the Central bank of Myanmar.
Quick Link – Preliminary approval
INDIAN AFFAIRS
Stone laid for Octomax Unit at Mathura Refinery
Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan laid the foundation stone of country’s first-of-its-kind Octomax unit at the Mathura refinery that will help in the production of high-octane gasoline. Octomax, a “novel technology” developed in-house by Research and Development Centre of Indian Oil, involves conversion of cracked C4 streams to high-octane gasoline blending stock for production of Euro-IV/V equivalent gasoline. The refinery will setup a plant of 55 KTA capacity at an estimated cost of Rs 43 cr and is expected to be completed by October 2017. The unit on Octomax technology has been conceptualised and designedbased on indigenous efforts.
Quick Link – Novel technology
SRESHTA: Indian Railways’ new special research wing
Indian Railways is all set to set up a Special Railway Establishment for Strategic Technology and Holistic Advancement (SRESHTA), a new entity that will comprise mostly scientists and railway experts. SRESHTA will be responsible for long-term research for improving the functioning of the public sector behemoth. The new research unit will be headed by a reputed scientist, who will report directly to the Chairman, Railway Board. Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO), railways’ current research arm, will focus only on day-to-day issues. Currently new technology is imported by railways as the RDSO has not been able to do in-house research work on various technologies required for upgradation in signalling and telecommunication system, track designing, improvement in rolling stock and many such areas.
Quick Link – SRESHTA
India puts a halt on scanning Japanese food imports
Indian Government has decided to discontinue the scanning of the Food products from Japan that run the risk of being contaminated by radioactive substance. Now the Food products get an easy access into the country. Even after five years of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster in 2011, reports indicate that food products from Japan carry the risk of radioactive contamination that can lead to various forms of cancer. Several other countries are still following a strict mechanism to keep a check on Japanese food imports. The order has been conveyed to the customs department and the food safety commissioners of all states. The abrupt end to the practice has, however, alarmed experts.
Quick Link – Japanese food imports
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
UK Royal Navy to join NATO migrant patrols
The UK military is to join Nato forces intercepting and returning people trying to reach Europe from Turkey, as David Cameron prepares to meet European leaders to discuss the escalating migration crisis. The prime minister announced that the Royal Navy was deploying the amphibious landing ship RFA Mounts Bay as the first UK contribution to the Nato deployment in the Aegean Sea. The vessel, which carries a Wildcat helicopter, will join naval vessels from Germany, Canada, Turkey and Greece as part of Nato’s first intervention in the migration crisis. The announcement came several hours after another boat carrying people sank with the loss of 25 lives including at least three children.
Quick Link – NATO
North Korea threatens nuke attacks on US, South Korea
North Korea has threatened to turn Washington and Seoul into “flames and ashes”, warning of an indiscriminate “pre-emptive nuclear strike of justice” in reaction to the start of US-South Korean military drills. Such threats have been a staple of the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, since he took power after his father’s death in December 2011. But they tend to increase when Washington and Seoul stage what they describe as annual defensive springtime war games. North Korea’s powerful National Defence Commission threatened strikes against targets in South Korea, US bases in the Pacific and the US mainland, saying its enemies “are working with bloodshot eyes to infringe upon the dignity, sovereignty and vital rights” of the country.
Quick Link – Flames and ashes
Freecharge partners with Mexico-based movie theatre chain Cinepolis
Digital payments platform FreeCharge has partnered with Mexico-based chain of movie theatres, Cinepolis, that aims to provide its customers an easy to use and secure way of making payments. With the partnership going live in the second week of March, customers can pay for movie tickets and Food& Beverages (F&B) across 38 Cinepolis theatres in 28 Cities using the FreeCharge wallet. As part of launch the customers will also be able to avail offers and discounts rolled off by the FreeCharge. FreeCharge is the first digital wallet partner for Cinepolis, the world’s 4th largest chain of movie theatres. Movie goers will be able to pay using their registered mobile numbers with FreeCharge at the existing card machine(s) available at the payment counter.
Quick Link – Freecharge partners
FOREIGN RELATIONS
Raisina Dialogue, started in New Delhi
Raisina Dialogue, a joint initiative of the Ministry of External Affairs and a leading think tank, Observer Research Foundation. The three-day Dialogue, organised on the lines of the famous Shangrila Dialogue held in Singapore, will see participation of more than 100 speakers from over 35 countries. It is focusing on Asia’s physical, economic, human and digital connectivity, attempting to discover opportunities and challenges for the region to manage its common spaces, as well as the global partnerships needed to develop common pathways in this century. A powerhouse panel of former Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga, former Afghan President Hamid Karzai and the Bangladeshi foreign minister Mahmood Ali were amongst those who shared the stage with Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj at the opening session.
Quick Link – Raisina Dialogue
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Scientists find how Zika virus attacks foetus
Scientists have announced they believe they understand how the Zika virus causes a rare birth defect in which babies are born without abnormally large heads and underdeveloped brains. Working with lab-grown human stem cells, scientists found that the virus selectively infected cells forming the brain’s cortex, the thin outer layer of folded gray matter. Its attack made those cells more likely to die and less likely to divide normally and make new brain cells. Since the outbreak that has swept through the Americas first emerged, scientists in Brazil have raised concerns over a possible link between Zika and the birth abnormality, known as microcephaly.
Quick Link – Zika attacks Foetus
China plans to land probe on Mars in 2021
China plans to land a probe on Mars in 2021 to coincide with the 100th anniversary of founding of the ruling-Communist Party of China and a decade after its first failed mission in 2011, after which India, US, Russia and EU stole the march. The probe is expected to reach Mars in 2021 after a flight of seven to ten months. The Communist Party, the sole governing party of China, was founded in 1921. China is likely to launch a Mars probe in 2020. After months of flying, the probe is expected to land in Mars at the 100th anniversary of the CPC. In November 2015, China unveiled a model of its orbiter and landing rover at the China International Industry Fair in Shanghai. China’s earlier mission to send a probe to the Red Planet in a joint mission with Russia failed in 2011.
Quick Link – Mars in 2021
Scientists create first biological supercomputer
Scientists have created the world’s first biological supercomputer which is energy efficient and it hardly heats up at all. It uses proteins instead of electrons to relay information around a circuit. The proteins are powered by adenosine triphosphate (ATP) ,the energy provider to all the cells in a human body. The substance that provides energy to all the cells in our bodies, Adenosine triphosphate (ATP), may also be able to power the next generation of supercomputers. That is what an international team of researchers led by Prof. Nicolau, the Chair of the Department of Bioengineering at McGill, believe.
Quick Link – Biological supercomputer
ENVIRONMENT
Thousands of dead fish washed ashore Ulsoor lake
Thousands of dead fish have washed up on the banks of a polluted lake in India’s southern technology hub of Bangalore. It is suspected that sewage from many parts of the city has been flowing into the lake, depleting oxygen levels in the water. Residents living in and around the lake were in for a shock as they found the fish heaped around, raising unbearable stink in the water body. A tourism spot, Ulsoor lake had been choked with water hyacinth in recent years, with government launching clean-up efforts. The incident comes even as there is a growing concern by environmentalists over polluted lakes, exemplified by the thick froth and flames from the Yamlur lake that caused ripples in the city last year.
Quick Link – Polluted lake
SPORTS
Patna Pirates win their first Pro Kabaddi title
The Patna Pirates were crowned champions of the Pro Kabaddi League Season 3 after they defeated defending champions and heavy favourites U Mumba in a memorable encounter. In a truly riveting game of Kabaddi, the Pirates managed to maintain their lead throughout the game and never let the initiative slip. They survived some nervy moments toward the end and recorded a narrow 31-28 win to lift their first ever Pro Kabaddi title. Patna beat Mumbai 31-28 to lift the golden trophy amidst spectacular scenes of celebration. Patna’s Rohit Kumar was awarded the best raider prize and Mumbai’s Mohit Chillar was adjudged the best defender of the match. Mumbai’s Rishank Devadiga emerged as the most successful raider of the season with 106 points.
Quick Link – Pro Kabaddi title
Asia Cup: India won the match
India demonstrates its dominance in Twenty20 cricket and regains continental supremacy, downing host Bangladesh by eight wickets in the final of the Asia Cup at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. With this victory, India lifted their sixth Asia Cup title. This is the first time the Asia Cup was held in T20 format and India proved why they are No.1 side in T20 Internationals. The captain didn’t even collect a stump after finishing things off with 20 not out off six balls. Just a handshake with his deputy Virat Kohli and he was done. Kohli held up his hands to acknowledge the dressing room before trudging off. It was just another day in office for the world’s best T20 side that now has a 10-1 winning record in the last 11 matches.
Quick Link – Asia Cup
Indian paddlers win Gold at World Table Tennis Championship
Indian paddlers made history twice in less than 24 hours with both women’s and men’s teams emerging triumphant in the second division of their respective sections at the 2016 World Table Tennis Championships. The Indian women’s team beat Luxemburg 3-1 in the second division final before their male counterparts overcame a stiff competition from Brazil 3-2. The men however, started with with a loss to Nigeria in their opening group match, but won all their games tthereafter to achieve top honours. With the Indian men achieving two hard-fought wins on their way to the final, the team management decided to rest veteran Achanta Sharath Kamal for the title decider against Brazil.
Quick Link – World Table Tennis Championship
OBITUARY
Malayalam Actor Kalabhavan Mani dead
Popular Malayalam actor Kalabhavan Mani died at a private hospital. He was 45. Mani had acted in over 200 films in Malayalam and other South Indian languages. The actor’s sudden death came as a shock for the Malayalam fraternity and his hundreds of fans. Many, including senior actors and technicians, rushed to the hospital to pay their homage. With his superb portrayal of a blind singer in Vasanthiyum Lakshmiyum Pinne Njanum, (remade in Tamil as Kasi), he was a favourite to win both the State and national awards for the best actor. He also made an excellent villain, in films such as Gemini (Tamil). He was a good singer and the folk songs he rendered were extremely popular.
Quick Link – Kalabhavan Mani Passes away
Ray Tomlinson, email inventor and selector of @ symbol dies
Ray Tomlinson, the inventor of email and the man who picked the @ symbol for addresses, has died aged 74. The tech world reacted with sadness over the passing of Tomlinson, who became a cult figure for his invention in 1971 of a program for ARPANET, the Internet’s predecessor, that allowed people to send person-to-person messages to other computer users on other servers. Originally from Amsterdam, New York, Tomlinson went to school at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and MIT in the 1960s, and was working at research and development company Bolt Beranek and Newman – now Raytheon BBN Technologies – when he made his email breakthrough.
Quick Link – Ray Tomlinson Passes away
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