IInd Week PDF 8th to 16th Jan 2017
1. China to set up world's highest altitude Gravitational Wave telescopes in Tibet
China is setting up the world's highest altitude gravitational wave telescopes in a Tibet prefecture close to Line of Actual Control with India with a budget of $18.8 million to detect faintest echoes resonating from universe which may reveal more about the Big Bang theory.
Construction has started for the first telescope, code-named Ngari No 1, 30 km south of Shiquanhe Town in Nagri Prefecture, said Yao Yongqiang chief researcher with the National Astronomical Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Parts of Nagri is last Tibetan prefecture at China's border with India.
2. Norway to Become First Country to Switch Off FM Radio Network
Norway will become the world’s first country to shut down its FM network in an unpopular move designed to force the leap to digital technology.
It is going to launch Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) technique in place of FM radio.
Critics claim the switch off will leave citizens without digital radios isolated and unable to listen to emergency broadcasts.
3. World Hindi Day:10 January
The World Hindi Day is being observed annually on 10 January.
World Hindi Day was first observed on 10 January 2006. It should be noted that World Hindi Day is the promotion of the language at the global stage. While, National Hindi Divas is being observed on 14 September across the country at national level.
4. Pakistan to renovate Katas Raj temple
Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif visited the Katas Raj Hindu temple in Chakwal district of Punjab to inaugurate its renovation.
The work includes installation of a water filtration plant in the Amrat Jal area. Al-Biruni, Persian scholar and polymath, had computed the earth’s circumference from here.
5. Festival of India to be Organised in Ghana
After Combodia, now a Festival of India is being organised in Ghana from January 25 to March 16, 2017.
The activities of the Festival include amalgamation of Indian classical dances, Sufi & Folk Music, and Saptarang – confluence of seven classical dance forms culminating in Vande Matram. The Festival events are being showcased in four cities of Accra, Kumasi, Cape Coast, Takoradi in Ghana.
Ghana
Capital: Accra Currenty: Cedi
6. Ecuador takes chair of UN group of 134 developing countries
Ecuador has taken over from Thailand as chair of the Group of 77 which promotes the interests of the 134 developing countries it represents at the United Nations, including China.
Ecuador's President Rafael Correa told handover ceremony that the group will continue promoting "social and economic equality." He said this can only be done if "poverty, inequality and exclusion" are eradicated and people live with "sovereignty, dignity and in peace."
Thailand's Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai said his country focused in 2016 on how to implement the 17 U.N. goals for 2030 to promote development and good governance, and preserve the environment.
7. Obama lifts 20-year sanctions on Sudan
US President Barack Obama is to lift some trade and investments sanctions against Africa's third largest country.
But the country will still remain a state sponsor of terrorism in Washington's eyes. Obama informed Congress that he will lift barriers against the Khartoum government but only after a six-month delay to ensure Sudan continues to improve its human rights record.
8. India slips 3 places to 92nd rank on global talent competitiveness
India has slipped 3 places to 92nd rank on the global index of talent competitiveness that measures how countries grow, attract and retain talent, a list topped by Switzerland.
India's ranking is worst among the five BRICS countries. While China was ranked at the 54th place, Russian Federation was placed at 56th, followed by South Africa at 67th and Brazil 81st. Switzerland topped the overall index, followed by Singapore and the United Kingdom in second and third places respectively, in the list released by INSEAD Produced in
partnership with The Adecco Group and the Human Capital Leadership Institute of Singapore (HCLI).
9. 20th National Conference on e-Governance inaugurated
The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), Government of India, in association with the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, Government of India and Government of Andhra Pradesh is organizing the 20th National Conference on e- Governance on January 9-10, 2017 in Vishakhapatnam.
Senior Government Officers, technical experts, academicians and representatives of the industry and NGOs will participate in the event. National e-Governance Awards for the year 2016-17 will be presented in twelve categories concerning various aspects of e-Governance during the event comprising of Gold and Silver in each category.
10. PM Modi announces scheme to skill Indian youth seeking jobs abroad
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the government will shortly launch the Pravasi Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PKVY) which is aimed at skilling Indians seeking employment abroad.
The prime minister was speaking at the 14th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention in Bengaluru. "The Pravasi Kaushal Vikas Yojana is targeted at Indian youth seeking overseas employment," Modi said. PKVY will train and certify Indians, who are keen on overseas employment in select sectors, in line with international standards.
11. Narendra Modi inaugurates India International Exchange
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the India International Exchange (INX) located at the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC), GIFT City in Gandhinagar, terming it as momentous occasion for the country's financial sector.
The India INX is a wholly owned subsidiary of BSE Ltd.It incorporates world’s advanced IT sale purchase stage. The securities and products that could be traded on the India INX are equity shares, currency and interest rate derivatives, index based derivatives and such other securities that may be allowed.
12. PM Modi inaugurates Vibrant Gujarat Global Global Summit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated 8th edition of Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit at Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
An investment of around 30 lakh is expected by signing 21,190 MoUs during the three days summit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also inaugurated 'Vibrant Gujarat Global Trade Show', where around 1,500 entities are participating from India and abroad. Representatives of over 80 countries are also participating in the 'Vibrant Gujarat Global Trade Show' where more than 15 lakh people are expected to visit over the course of five days.
13. 11th blind challenge car rally held in Bhopal
11th Blind Challenge Car Rally was organised in Bhopal to create awareness among the masses regarding the issues concerning persons with visual impairment.
Indira Gandhi Museum and Arushi are organising car rally, where the vehicle is driven by a sighted person and the navigator is a blind person, who reads the route given to them on the spot in Braille. The rally covered 30 kms within Bhopal. First three winners were awarded cash prices and trophies and mementos and certificates were given to all participants.
14. Sex ratio in Haryana touches 900-mark for first time in 20 years
Sex ratio at birth (SRB) in Haryana past year touched the 900-mark for the first time in almost two decades.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the ambitious “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” (B3P) campaign against female foeticide in Panipat in January 2015. Two years later, Haryana, notorious for its skewed sex ratio and patriarchal mindset, saw a historic turnaround.
15. Maharashtra govt launches ‘MumbaiWifi’
Maharashtra government has launched WiFi service ‘MumbaiWifi’ connecting 500 hotspots across Mumbai under the smart city project with an aim to empower people digitally.
By May 1 next year, the government will launch 700 more hotspot services. MumbaiWifi is India’s largest public Wifi service and one of the largest globally too.
16. National Youth Festival to be held at Rhotak
Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports Shri Vijay Goel, in a statement said that this year the 21st National Youth Festival is being organised in Rohtak, Haryana from 12th to 16th January, 2017.
Department of Youth Affairs of Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, organizes every year the National Youth Festival on the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, the greatest Youth Icon.
Goel further informed that this year the theme of the Festival is ‘Youth for Digital India’.
17. Railway minister launches IRCTC rail connect to promote digital ticketing
To promote ease of ticketing through digital transactions, railway minister Suresh Prabhu has released the new passenger mobile application named ‘IRCTC Rail Connect app’.
Rail Connect has been developed to bring the power of next generation e-ticketing system like high performance and enhanced security. The new mobile-based application will replace the old existing IRCTC connect app.
18. Delhi Airport first in world to adopt digital platform Arc
Delhi Airport claimed it has become the first aerodrome in the world to adopt unique performance and benchmarking digital platform, Arc, which helps in tracking and monitoring building performance.
This dynamic platform at T3 would be used by airport operator to measure, manage and improve performance of airport on resource consumption, carbon emissions and quality of passenger space.
Delhi Airport's Terminal 3 had earned LEED Gold certification in 2011 under the new construction category.
19. BIS revises standard for hallmarking of gold jewellery
Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) said it has revised Indian Standard on gold hallmarking, which is effective from January 1 this year.
The hallmarked gold jewellery will now be available in three grades of 14 carat, 18 carat and 22 carat. The caratage will also be marked on jewellery in addition to fineness for convenience of consumers, that is for 22 carat jewellery 22K will be marked in addition to 916 (22K916), for 18 carat jewellery 18K will be marked in addition to 750 (18K750) and for 14 carat jewellery, 14K will be marked in addition to 585 (14K585), it added.
20. Measles-rubella vaccine to roll out in February
Three years after the national vaccine advisory body recommended the introduction of the measles- rubella vaccine (MR) in the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP), the vaccine is all set to be introduced from next month in five states and Union territories.
In addition, from March, Pneumococcal conjugate (pneumococcal pneumonia) vaccine will also become a part of the UIP basket in three other states. Both the new vaccines will be launched by Health Minister J P Nadda in separate programmes.
21. Second Scorpene class submarine Khanderi launched
Khanderi, the second Scorpene class submarine that has superior stealth and the ability to launch a crippling attack with torpedoes as well as tube-launched anti-ship missiles whilst underwater or on surface, was launched at the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) here.
Union Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre presided over the function to initiate the launch of Khanderi (Yard 11876). Khanderi is named after the Island fort of Maratha forces, which played a vital role in ensuring their supremacy at sea in the late 17th century. Khanderi is also the name for Tiger Shark.
22. India’s first Madame Tussauds museum to open in Delhi in June
The first wax museum attraction Madame Tussauds will debut in Delhi this June with its operator Merlin Entertainments foraying into India with an investment plan of 50 million pounds over the next 10 years.
Merlin Entertainments will open its first Madame Tussauds attraction in Delhi in June with 50 figures. 60 per cent of the figures will be local celebrities and rest global. UK-based Merlin Enterprises runs 116 attractions in 24 countries and the company will be foraying into the Indian market with the launch of Madame Tussauds in the national capital.
23. World’s first gender literature fest in Patna
The world’s first ‘Gender Literature Festival’ will be held in Patna during 7th to 9th April 2017.
The Gender Resource Centre of Bihar’s Women Development Corporation will be organising the festival. The objective of this initiative is to create a platform, to exchange ideas, and to share and learn experiences of renowned people in the field of gender literature.
24. Guided Pinaka successfully test fired at Odisha's Chandipur
Guided Pinaka, which has been upgraded from Pinaka Rocket, was successfully test fired from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur.
The Pinaka Rocket Mark-II, which evolved from Pinaka Mark-I, is equipped with a navigation, guidance and control kit and has been transformed to a Guided Pinaka.
25. App named 'SEZ India' launched by Commerce Ministry
A Mobile app named “SEZ India” has been launched by the Commerce Secretary.
SEZ Division, Department of Commerce under its broader e-Governance initiative i.e. SEZ Online System, has developed mobile app for Special Economic Zones (SEZs). Commerce Secretary launched the app and mentioned that the App would help the SEZ Units and Developers to find information easily and track their transactions on SEZ Online System. Now the SEZ Developers & Units can file all their transactions digitally through SEZ Online system and track the status on the go through the SEZ India mobile app.
26. Petroleum Minister inaugurated month long awareness programme “Saksham - 2017”
Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Petroleum & Natural Gas, Dharmendra Pradhan linaugurated a month long awareness programme “Saksham – 2017” on 16th January, 2016 at Siri Fort Auditorium, New Delhi.
Saksham - 2017 (Sanrakshan Kshamta Mahotsav) is aimed to create awareness amongst masses towards judicious utilization and conservation of petroleum products along with use of energy efficient appliances and switching to cleaner fuels. The programme is being organized by PCRA (Petroleum Conservation Research Association) and other Oil & Gas PSUs under the aegis of Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas.
27. Digital Dakiya scheme inaugurated in MP
In Madhya Pradesh, Indore district witnessed inauguration of first of its kind scheme of the country. Digital Dakiya, which aims at encouraging cashless transactions.
“Digital Dakiya or Digital Postman will visit different places to teach and encourage people about cashless transactions and its benefits. State Finance Minister Jayant Malliya inaugurated the scheme at Indore. State government will provide Identity cards to the volunteers deployed in this programme. Digital Dakiyas visit door to door and trained households specially women and elderly people about digitized transactions. The scheme aimed at urban as well as rural areas.
28. Central government employees to get Rs 9000 minimum pension
The minimum pension has been increased to Rs 9,000 per person for central government employees, union minister Jitendra Singh said.
Addressing the 29th meeting of the Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies (Scova) in the city, he said almost 88% of pension accounts have been seeded to Aadhaar. There are about 50-55 lakh pensioners in the country.
29. Kerala's first solar-powered boat launched
The Minister of State for Power, Coal, New and Renewable Energy and Mines (Independent Charge), Piyush Goyal launching the country’ s first solar boat at Vaikkom, in Kerala.
The Chief Minister of Kerala, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan, the Minister of State for Transport, Shri. A.K. Saseendran and the MP, Shri Jose K. Mani are also seen. The solar boat, ADITYA, is a 75-passenger vessel which runs on solar power.
30. 69th Army Day: 15 January
Indian Army celebrated its 69th Army Day on 15 January 2017.
General Bipin Rawat, Chief of the Army Staff reviewed the Army Day parade at Cariappa Parade Ground, Delhi Cantonment. Every year, Indian Army has been celebrates January 15 as Army Day to commemorate the day when General (later Field Marshal) KM Carriappa took over the command of Army from General Sir FRR Bucher, the last British Commander-in- Chief in 1949.
31. BSF launches operation 'Sard Hawa' at Rajasthan border
Border Security Force (BSF) launched operation 'Sard Hawa' at the western international border of Rajasthan.
The operation will continue till January 28. The purpose of the operation is to keep a hawk's eye on the international border, where vigil has been beefed-up and officers have also been asked to be part of operation to motivate jawans.
32. Axis Bank becomes third lender to offer block chain service
Private sector Axis bank has become the third lender in the country to announce usage of block chain solutions for its operations, after its peers ICICI Bank and Yes Bank.
The Shikha Sharma-led bank, the third largest private sector lender, will be using the upcoming technology for cross-border remittances.
33. HDFC Bank launched Humanoid Ira
The private lender HDFC Bank has launched a `humanoid' in the domestic banking space.
The bank showcased human-sized robot Ira, developed in association with Kochi-based Asimov Robotics, and said it will be deployed at a Mumbai branch within a fortnight. City Union Bank last year introduced robot `Lakshmi', which uses artificial intelligence to handle 125 topics.
34. SBI waives MDR charges for small merchants for one year
Country's largest lender SBI has waived Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on debit card transactions for all small merchants with annual turnover of up to Rs 20 lakh for one year.
SBI further said the move is targeted primarily towards a segment of population and small merchants, who have not yet experienced the convenience of Card Payments.
35. BSNL to connect 1500 gram panchayats through OFC in 2017
BSNL plans to connect 1,518 gram panchayats with Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) this year in Assam to ensure rural connectivity.
We have emphasised on rural connectivity and 5,200 kms of OFC will be laid this year to cover 1,518 gram panchayats, which accounts 70 per cent of the total gram panchayats in the state,” BSNL Chief General Manager M.K. Seth. Seth said that Kshetri Gaon Panchayat in Kamrup district is likely to become the first digital gram panchayat of the country. BSNL will provide three thousand hot spots at important places and has already initiated steps for automatic hook up points through wireless network, he said. Following demonetisation, BSNL has tied-up with SBI and will soon launch an e-wallet called Mobicash.
36. World Bank cuts India’s FY17 growth forecast to 7%
The World Bank has lowered its growth forecast for India to 7 per cent from 7.6 per cent in 2016- 17, citing a slowdown in consumption and manufacturing due to demonetisation and an ongoing decline in private investment and credit constraints due to impaired bank balance sheets.
The World Bank’s Global Economic Prospects January 2017 report added that the Indian economy is subsequently set to recover its growth momentum, with growth rising to 7.6 per cent in FY18 and further strengthening to 7.8 per cent in FY20.
37. HDFC Bank helps TN temples to go digital
HDFC Bank has reportedly helped five temples in Kanyakumari district in southern Tamil Nadu to introduce digital wallets and point of sale (PoS) to enable their devotees pay donations.
The Bank has opened five new government accounts for collecting donations from the devotees using their debit or credit cards. The temples that have introduced digital mode include Arulmighu Thanumalaya Swamy Temple, Suchindrum; Arulmighu Bhagavathi Amman Temple, Kanyakumari; Arulmighu Nagaraja Temple,Nagercoil; Arulmighu Bhagavathi Amman Temple, Mondaikadu; and Arulmighu Kumaraswamy Temple, Velimalai.
38. Government to sell 51% stake in Pawan Hans
Moving ahead with the strategic sale of Pawan Hans, the government said it will sell its entire 51 per cent stake and transfer the management control of the helicopter service operator.
Pawan Hans is a joint venture where state-owned ONGC holds 49 per cent. The government has sought applications from entities to act as transaction advisor for the proposed disinvestment of its stake in the company. “The government of India intends to divest its entire shareholding of 51 per cent in Pawan Hans Ltd, through strategic disinvestment with transfer of management control,” a public notice said.
39. Kumar Sharadindu appointed as MD & CEO of SBI Pension Funds
SBI Pension Funds, a subsidiary of State Bank of India, has appointed Kumar Sharadindu as its managing director and chief executive.
SBI Pension Funds is one of the three pension fund managers appointed by the regulator PFRDA to manage the pension corpus of employees enrolled under the National Pension System for government employees. Prior to this assignment, Sharadindu was a general manager at SBI Corporate Centre, Mumbai.
40. David Rudisha named ambassador of Mumbai Marathon
Olympic and world 800m champion, David Rudisha from Kenya, is named the international event ambassador for the 14th Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon 2017.
The marathon will be held on January 15. Rudisha, the 28-year-old middle-distance ace, retained his Olympic 800m title with an power-packed run at Rio Olympics, clocking 1:42.16. He was timed at 1:40.91 four years ago in London 2012, a world record performance.
41. Flipkart appoints Kalyan Krishnamurthy as new CEO
Flipkart has promoted former Tiger Global Management executive Kalyan Krishnamurthy as the new chief executive to run the operations of India's largest online retailer.
Mr.Krishnamurthy is replacing co-founder Binny Bansal, who has been elevated to the position of Group CEO.
Mr. Krishnamurthy joined Flipkart in June last year as head of ‘category design organisation.’ He was hired from Flipkart’s largest investor Tiger Global, a New York-based investment firm.
42. Gionee signs up Virat Kohli as brand ambassador
Mobile handset brand Gionee has roped in Indian captain Virat Kohli as the brand ambassador.
The poster boy for Indian cricket will be joining Bollywood actor Alia Bhatt who was roped in a few months ago. The announcement of Kohli's appointment was made alongside the announcement of Gionee clocking 1.2 crore customers in India.
43. Daniel Ortega Sworn in Nicaragua’s President
Daniel Ortega has been sworn in for a third consecutive term as Nicaragua's president, with his wife Rosario Murillo as the new vice president.
Ortega, a 71-year-old former rebel fighter, took the oath in Managua with the presidents of Venezuela, Bolivia and Taiwan in attendance. Ortega was firstly elected in 2007.
Nicaragua
Capital: Managua Currency: Cordoba
44. Dr. Ausaf Sayeed to be the next HC of India to the Republic of Seychelles
Dr. Ausaf Sayeed has been appointed as the next High Commissioner of India to the Republic of Seychelles.
Ausaf is currently working as the Consul General,Consulate General of India, Chicago.
Seychelles
Capital: Victoria Currency: Rupee
45. FIH makes Sreejesh member of Athletes' Committee
The Indian men's hockey team captain PR Sreejesh has became a member of International Hockey Federation (FIH) Athletes' Committee.
FIH Athletes' Committee comprises a total of eight current and former hockey players who have the responsibility to act as a liaison between the FIH and the athletes to make sure the players have voice in the FIH decision making process. While Sreejesh's role will be to seek and provide feedback to the FIH on behalf of all athletes, the Committee also gets to interact with the current athletes in a number of ways including post event surveys.
46. Lt General Sarath Chand appointed new Vice Chief of Army Staff
Lieutenant General Sarath Chand, Army Commander of Jaipur-based South Western Command, was appointed as the new Vice Chief of Army Staff.
Lt Gen Sarath Chand was commissioned into the Garhwal Rifles in June 1979 and has had an outstanding professional career spanning over 38 years. He has had a very fruitful tenure as the Army Commander of South Western Command.
47. N Chandrasekaran is new chairman of Tata Sons
Tata Sons has appointed Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) Chief Executive Natarajan Chandrasekaran as its new chairman. He will take over as the executive chairman from Feb. 21
The decision came about three months after the Company in October ousted Cyrus Mistry and appointed Ratan Tata as its interim chairman, sparking a bitter public spat. At TCS, Chandrasekaran would be succeeded by Rajesh Gopinathan, currently the company's chief financial officer.
48. Rajeev Singh to be interim CEO at Prasar Bharati
Public broadcaster Prasar Bharati has named Rajeev Singh, member (finance) as interim chief executive officer (CEO) at its board meeting in Hyderabad.
Prasar Bharati runs Doordarshan and All India Radio. Singh will replace Suresh Chandra Panda who has been serving as interim CEO since November 2016, after full time chief Jawhar Sircar put in his papers in October. Panda was formerly member (personnel) of Prasar Bharati and is scheduled to retire on 4 February.
49. Golden Globe Awards 2017
Best Motion picture, drama: 'Moonlight' Best picture, comedy or musical: 'La La Land' Best Actor, drama: Casey Affleck, 'Manchester by the Sea' Best Actress, drama: Isabelle Huppert, 'Elle' Best Actress, comedy or musical: Emma Stone, 'La La Land' Best Actor, comedy or musical: Ryan Gosling, 'La La Land' Best Supporting actress: Viola Davis, 'Fences' Best Supporting actor: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, 'Nocturnal Animals' Best Director: Damien Chazelle, 'La La Land' Best Screenplay: Damien Chazelle, 'La La Land' Best Original Score: La La Land Best Original Song: City of stars, La La Land Best Animation Film: Zootopia Best Foreign Language Film: Elle, France Cecil B. De Mille Award: Meryl Streep
50. Barai, Shivangi received Pravasi Bharatiya Samaan Award
Indian-Americans Dr Bharat Barai and Dr Sampat Shivangi have been selected for the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award, the highest civilian award given to overseas Indians and people of Indian origin.
They received the award from President Pranab Mukherjee in Bengaluru on January 9, the last day of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas conclave. The award was established in 2003 by Ministry of External Affairs. So far, 28 overseas Indians from the US have received the award.
51. Cristiano Ronaldo wins FIFA best player award for 4th time
Portugal and Real Madrid FC Captain Cristiano Ronaldo has won his fourth FIFA best player award.
Ronaldo beat great rival Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann to complete a sweep of top individual awards. FIFA president Gianni Infantino presented the award to Ronaldo in a Function. His 34.54 percent of total voting points in a 23-candidate ballot was clearly better than Messi's 26.42 percent. Griezmann got 7.53 percent. Ronaldo has earlier clinched the award in 2008, 2013 and 2014. He was also conferred Ballon d’or award last December.
52. Amitabh Bachchan presented with US embassy award for fight against TB
Megastar Amitabh Bachchan was given an award by the US Embassy in appreciation for his invaluable contributions to the US-India partnership on tuberculosis.
The award was presented on January 8 by US Ambassador to India Richard R. Verma to the legendary actor who is also a tuberculosis survivor and brand ambassador for the initiative. Amitabh Bachchan is the brand ambassador of the campaign.
53. 20th Good Governance Awards Announced
The two day National Conference on e-Governance concluded in Visakhapatnam.
On the occasion, Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology and Law & Justice Shri P.P. Chaudhary gave away the awards to the winners. National Awards for e-Governance 2016-17 were presented in two types of awards for each category. Out of 20 awards, 09 are Gold and 11 Silver.
Category –I: Excellence in Government Process Re-engineering
Gold : Chief Commissioners for Land Administration Vijaywada for Loan Charge Creation Module. Silver : Government of Madhya Pradesh for Madhya Pradesh Shram Seva Portal
Category- II: Outstanding performance in citizen centric service delivery
Gold :Department of Consumer Affairs, Food and Civil Supplies, Hyderabad for Aadhaar enabled Public Distribution System Silver :Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Shastri Bhavan, New Delhi for SAHAJ – Online LPG connection and Cylinder e-payment
Category III Innovative use of technology in e-Governance
Gold :Social Justice and Disabled Welfare, Government of Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal for State Pension Portal Online Social Security Schemes Management system (OSSSMS) Silver :DM, Rudraprayag for Setting up of wireless LAN in Kedar valley
Category IV Incremental Innovations in existing projects
Gold :Ministry of Rural Development, Krishi Bhawan New Delhi for NREGA Software
Silver :Directorate of Income Tax, CBDT New Delhi for E-Filing Project of Income Tax
Category V Best District level initiative incitizen-centric service delivery through ICT
Silver :Collector, Junagadh for SUGAM COLLECTORATE
Category VI Innovative use of GIS Technology in e-Governance
Gold : DC, Gurgaon, Haryana for G Triangulation Silver : Commissioner, Muglisara SMC for Implementation of GIS app along with GIS database at Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC)
Category VII Innovative use of Mobile Technology in e-Governance.
Gold :Inspector of Police, Hyderabad for Hawk Eye Mobile App Hyderabad City Police
Category VIII Sectoral Award: Digital Transformation towards transforming India.
Gold :CEO, My Gov, MeitY for MyGov
Category IX Innovative use of ICT by Central Government PSUs.
Gold :ED, Rural Electrification CorporationLtd, New Delhi for Village Electrification Mission Silver : Vishakhapatnam Steel Plant for Gyan Era- Online Learning Management System
Category X Innovative use of ICT by State Government
Gold :Managing Director KSRTC for Nation’s First Intelligent Transport System with Mobile App at Mysore City Silver : Development Corporation (TNHDC), Chennai for Transformation of TNHDC using Information Technology
Category XI: Outstanding e-Governance initiative by Academic and Research institutions
Silver : Associate Director, Research & Nodal Officer, Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishvavidyalaya (IGKV), Raipur for Indira Gandhi Information Management System (IGMIS)
Category XII Use of ICT for Development by Non-Government Institutions
Silver : Six Sigma High Altitude Medical Services, Delhi for SIX SIGMA Star Health Services Silver : Managing Director, Club Infotech, Pathankot for SAMRTH (Supply Accounting Management & Reporting Tech Hub)
54. Filmfare Short Films Awards 2017
People's Choice Award for Best Film – Khamakha Best Short Film in Fiction – Chutney Best Short Film in Non Fiction - Matitali Kusti Best Actor Female - Tisca Chopra For Chutney Best Actor Male - Manoj Bajpai for Taandav
55. 62nd Filmfare Awards 2017
Best Actor (Male): Aamir Khan for 'Dangal' Best Actor (Female): Alia Bhatt for 'Udta Punjab' Best Film: 'Dangal' Best Director: Nitesh Tiwari for 'Dangal' Filmfare Critics Award for Best Film: 'Neerja' Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor (Male): Shahid Kapoor for 'Udta Punjab' and Manoj Bajpayee for 'Aligarh' Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor (Female): Sonam Kapoor for 'Neerja' Best Debut Director: Ashwini Iyer Tiwari for 'Nil Battey Sannata' Best Male Debut: Diljit Dosanjh for 'Udta Punjab'
Best Female Debut: Ritika Singh for 'Saala Khadoos' Best Dialogue: Ritesh Shah for 'Pink' Best Screenplay: Shakun Batra and Ayesha Devitre Dhillon for 'Kapoor & Sons (Since 1921)' Best Story: Shakun Batra and Ayesha Devitre Dhillon for 'Kapoor & Sons Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Male): Rishi Kapoor for 'Kapoor & Sons (Since 1921)' Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Female): Shabana Azmi for 'Neerja' Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award: Shatrughan Sinha Best Music Album: Pritam for 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' Best Lyricist: Amitabh Bhattacharya for 'Channa Mereya' from 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' Best Playback Singer (Male): Arijit Singh for 'Ae dil hai mushkil' from 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' Best Playback Singer (Female): Neha Bhasin for 'Jag Ghoomeya' from 'Sultan' Filmfare RD Burman Award for New Music Talent: Amit Mishra for 'Bulleya' from 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' ·Best Visual Effects: Red Chillies for 'Fan' Best Editing: Monisha Baldawa for 'Neerja' Best Costume: Payal Saluja for 'Udta Punjab' Best Action: Shyam Kaushal for 'Dangal'
56. Bopanna and Jeevan bag the Chennai Open doubles title
Rohan Bopanna and Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan beat Purav Raja and Divij Sharan 6-3, 6-4 in the first-ever all-Indian doubles final at the Aircel Chennai Open to secure their maiden ATP title as a pair.
This is Rohan Bopanna’s 15th career title.This is the first title for Jeevan at ATP world tour level. Roberto Bautista Agut downs young Daniil Medevedev 6-3, 6-4 to lift Men’s Singles title.
57. Sania - Sands lift Brisbane women's doubles title
Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza picked up her first title of the season, combining with American Bethanie Mattek-Sands to lift the Brisbane International women's doubles title.
The top-seeded Indo-American duo triumphed 6-2, 6-3 against the second-seeded Russian team of Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina in the final. The trophy, however, ended Sania's 91-week reign as the world No.1 doubles player in the WTA rankings. That position was taken over by Bethanie.
58. Novak Djokovic beats Andy Murray to win Qatar Open
Novak Djokovic gained revenge over world No 1 Andy Murray to claim the first title of the ATP season with a victory in the Qatar Open final.
However, Murray remains world No. 1 after losing Serbian Djokovic 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 in the final match.
59. FIFA agrees to expand World Cup to 48 teams
Football’s governing body, FIFA, voted to expand the World Cup to 48 teams from its current 32.
The new format, to be introduced in 2026, will feature a first round of 16 groups of three teams, with the top two in each qualifying for a round of 32. From then on, it would be a straightforward knockout contest. The new-look tournament will increase the number of matches from 64 to 80.
60. Sarita to be the first Indian female boxer to go professional
Former world champion L Sarita Devi will become the first ever woman boxer from India to step into the world of professional boxing.
She will make her professional debut against Zsofia Bedo of Hungary in the Indian Boxing Council’s January 29 fight night to be held in her hometown of Imphal. The 31-year-old Sarita is honing her skills under the tutelage of American coach Joe Clough.
61. Nadia Petrova retires from tennis
Former world No.3 women's player Nadia Petrova of Russia has ended her tennis career in the wake of long injury trouble.
Petrova, 34, had not played since the end of 2013 and several comeback attempts failed. The 1998 French Open junior champion, Petrova won 13 WTA singles titles and reached the No.3 spot in May 2006. She was also successful in doubles with 24 titles. She also won Olympic doubles bronze in 2012.
62. Parthiv guided Gujarat to maiden Ranji title
Parthiv Patel scored a precious century (143, 196b, 24 x 4s) and scripted a most memorable maiden Ranji Trophy victory against Mumbai at the Holkar Stadium.
Having set a 312-run target on the final day, Gujarat chase down the target losing five wickets. This was the second time Gujarat had reached the Ranji final but they had lost to the Holkar team in 1941 at the same stadium. Gujarat is the 16th team to lift Ranji title. Now, Gujarat have won the domestic titles in T20, one-day and Ranji. They are only the fourth team to achieve this feat.
63. Sports Minister Shri Vijay Goel inaugurates Khelo India National Level Competitions
Khelo India National level Competitions under aegis of Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports would be organized from 15th Jan, 2017 to 21st Jan, 2017 in Swimming, Cycling and Wrestling.
Minister of State (I/C) Youth Affairs & Sports Shri Vijay Goel inaugurated the Competitions at Dr. Syama Prasad Mukherjee Swimming Pool Complex, New Delhi. More than 25 states/Union territories are expected to participate in the National Competitions. Approximately 1000 participants are expected to participate in the Khelo India National Competitions being organized by SAI.
64. Former President of Portugal Mario Alberto Nobre Lopes Soares passes away
Portugal's former president Mario Soares, widely seen as the father of the country's modern-day democracy, died aged 92.
He was president from 1986 to 1996 after serving as foreign minister and prime minister, and later became a European lawmaker.
65. Iran’s ex-President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani dead
Former Iranian president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, a pugnacious political survivor despite his support for moderates, died after suffering a heart attack.
Mr. Rafsanjani, who was 82, was a pivotal figure in the foundation of the Islamic Republic in 1979, and served as President from 1989 to 1997.
66. Former German President Roman Herzog Dies Aged 82
Roman Herzog, who as German president was a powerful advocate of economic reforms in the 1990s, has died. He was 82.
Herzog was a member of Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservative Christian Democratic Union. He served as the chief justice of Germany's highest court before being elected to a five- year term as president in 1994, four years after reunification.
67. Clare Hollingworth: British war correspondent dies aged 105
Clare Hollingworth, the veteran British war correspondent who broke the news of the Nazi invasion of Poland, has died in Hong Kong at the age of 105.
Hollingworth, who was born in Leicester in 1911, was the first to report on the invasion that triggered the outbreak of World War Two.
68. Ex-Punjab CM Surjit Singh Barnala passes away
Former Punjab chief minister Surjit Singh Barnala died in Chandigarh. He was 91.
Barnala served as Punjab CM from September 29, 1985, to June 11, 1987, when militancy in the state was high. Along with then SAD president Harchand Singh Longowal, Barnala played the pivotal role in signing the Punjab accord in 1985 with Rajiv Gandhi. He became the CM after signing the accord.
69. Akhada: Biography of Mahavir Singh Phogat
Akhada is the authorized biography of Mahavir Singh Phogat, a former wrestler and a coach who has made India proud.
The book, Akhada by Saurabh Duggal, traces Mahavir Phogat’s journey with his daughters and nieces hailing from a small village in Haryana to winning the medals for the country. Mahavir’s daughters, Babita and Geeta, has won medals at Olympics, World Wrestling Championship and Commonwealth Games.
70. Book on new age alphabets launched at book fair
Cyber Pathshala, a book on cyber schooling for the demonetisation era, authored by Tarun Vijay was released by Union Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar at the World Book Fair on January 10.
According to Tarun Vijay, demonetisation has changed our language, style and idioms and this book was to familiarise people of all ages with the new vocabulary of the new normal.
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