PDF IVth Week 24th to 31st Jan 2017
1. China builds world's biggest solar Park
China has finished building the Longyangxia Dam Solar Park in the western province of Qinghai, China.
Built at a cost of about 6bn yuan (£721.3m), Longyangxia now has the capacity to produce a massive 850MW of power – enough to supply up to 200,000 households.
2. Nepal launches 10-yr-plan to cut vegetable imports from India
Nepal government has launched a 10-year-plan to cut dependence on vegetable imports from India and make the land-locked country self-reliant in food.
Vegetable imports from India have continued to increase even despite the far-western region seeing a rise in commercial vegetable farming, a local media report has said. According to the report, the region imports vegetables worth 55 billion rupees every year from India. Exports volume, however, was negligible. Potatoes worth 370 million rupees was imported annually.
3. India to become the fastest oil consumer by 2035
Having pipped Japan to become world's third largest oil consumer, India's oil consumption growth will be the fastest among all major economies by 2035, BP Statistical Review of World Energy said.
India, Asia's second-biggest energy consumer since 2008, had in 2015 overtaken Japan as the world's third-largest oil consuming country behind US and China. India, it said, will overtake China as the largest growth market for energy in volume terms by 2030.
4. India ranked 79th in the Corruption Perception Index 2016
India has been ranked 79th among 176 countries in the Corruption Perception Index 2016 released by the Berlin based Transparency International organisation.
Its score marginally improved from 38 in 2015 to 40 in 2016. The score runs from zero to 100. Belarus, Brazil, & China shared the same ranks as India. The list was topped by New Zealand and Denmark with a score of 90 each. Somalia was ranked the most corrupt country with a score of 10.
5. India ranks sixth on eight great powers in 2017
India is ranked at the sixth spot, behind China and Japan, in a list of eight great powers for the year 2017 by a leading American foreign policy magazine.
The list is topped by the US, whereas China and Japan are at tie for being on the second spot. Russia (fourth) and Germany (fifth) are the other two countries ahead of India. Iran is ranked seventh and Israel is on the eighth spot. India is the world's largest democracy, home to the second-largest English-speaking population in the world and boasting a diversified and rapidly growing economy, it said.
6. World Leprosy Day: 30 January
World Leprosy Day is observed internationally on January 30 or its nearest Sunday to increase the public awareness of the Leprosy or Hansen's Disease.
This day was chosen in commemoration of the death of Gandhi, the leader of India who understood the importance of leprosy. Leprosy is one of the oldest recorded diseases in the world. It is an infectious chronic disease that targets the nervous system, especially the nerves in the cooler parts of the body - the hands, feet, and face.
7. Denmark to appoint world’s first ‘digital ambassador’
Denmark will become the first country in the world to appoint a special “digital ambassador” to work on building ties with the globe’s tech giants, according to the country’s foreign minister.
The purpose of the appointment is, on the one hand, to be on the forefront of technological development and the political and ethical issues that come with it, and on the other, to make Denmark more attractive for investment.
8. Abu Dhabi sets up Personal Status and Inheritance Court for non Muslims
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, has issued a resolution setting up a Personal Status and Inheritance Court for non Muslims in Abu Dhabi.
The move is in line with the strategic goals of the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of the judicial procedures and ensure access to services for all segments of the society.
This will also ensure prompt justice and strengthen the culture of tolerance and acceptance of others by creating institutional infrastructure.
9. Ireland became the world's first country to stop investing in fossil fuels
Ireland has voted to be the world's first country to fully divest public money from fossil fuels.
The Irish Parliament passed the historic legislation in a 90 to 53 vote in favour of dropping coal, oil and gas investments from the 8bn (£6.8bn) Ireland Strategic Investment Fund, part of the Republic's National Treasury Management Agency.
10. National Girl Child Day: 24 January
The National Girl Child Day is celebrated on 24 January at a special function organized by the Ministry of Women & Child Development in New Delhi in the light of exemplary achievements by nation’s daughters during 2016.
With a commendable performance at the Olympics and Paralympics and a historic induction of the first female fighter pilots into the Indian Air Force, it has truly been a proud year for India. The occasion was marked by felicitating 10 districts under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme for their exemplary performance.
11. Kerala CM Vijayan inaugurates ‘Jyothirmaya’
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has inaugurated the 4 lakh square feet latest IT building, ‘Jyothirmaya’ at the Infopark in Kochi.
Dedicating the 9-storeyed building, constructed over six acres of land, he said 80,000 job opportunities will be created when the buildings constructed during second phase of development at Infopark become fully operational. At present, 15 companies have taken up space in the new building.
12. In a first, postal ballots to be sent via electronic mode in Goa
Goa will become the first state in the country to opt for electronic transmission of postal ballot to service voters in the upcoming Assembly polls, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Syed Nasim Zaidi said.
He said sending ballot papers through electronic means will cut down the time in transmission of postal ballot to the service voters. Goa has 822 service voters who are either in the defence, para-military forces or on diplomatic missions.
13. Govt approves Varishtha Pension Bima Yojana – 2017
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its post-facto approval for launching of Varishtha Pension Bima Yojana 2017 (VPBY 2017).
It is a part of Government’s commitment for financial inclusion and social security. The scheme will be implemented through Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) during the current financial year to provide social security during old age and protect elderly persons aged 60 years and above against a future fall in their interest income due to uncertain market conditions. The scheme will provide an assured pension based on a guaranteed rate of return of 8% per annum for ten years, with an option to opt for pension on a monthly / quarterly / halfyearly and annual basis. The differential return, i.e., the difference between the return generated by LIC and the assured return of 8% per annum would be borne by Government of India as subsidy on an annual basis.
14. Cabinet approves Indian Institute of Management Bill, 2017
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the Indian Institute of Management(IIM) Bill, 2017, under which the IIMswould be declared as Institutions of National Importance which will enable them to grant degrees to their students.
Following are the salient features of the Bill:
IIMs can grant degrees to their students The Bill provides for complete autonomy to the Institutions, combined with adequate accountability.
Management of these Institutions would be Board driven, with the Chairperson and Director of an Institution which will be selected by the Board. A greater participation of experts and alumni in the Board is amongst other important features of the Bill. Provision has also been made for inclusion of women and members from Scheduled Castes/Tribes in the Board. The Bill also provides for periodic review of the performance of Institutions by independent agencies, and placing the results of the same on public domain. The Annual Report of the Institutions will be placed in the Parliament and CAG will be auditing their accounts. There is also a provision of Coordination Forum of IIMs as an advisory body.
15. Election Commission hosts International Seminar
Election Commission of India (ECI) hosted an International Seminar on ‘Strategies for Empowering Young and Future Voters’ on 24th January 2017, in partnership with UNDP India.
ECI signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the following Election Management Bodies at the Seminar:
Australian Electoral Commission Central Election Commission of Bosnia-Herzegovina Fijian Elections Office Election Commission of Nepal
16. National Voters Day: 25 January
Election commission of India will celebrate 7th National Voters Day on 25th January 2017.
Then President, Pratibha Patil inaugurated the day on the occasion of 61st foundation day of Election Commission of India on 25th January 2011. ECI was established on 25th January 1950. There were two themes for organising the day,’Inclusive and Qualitative Participation’ and ‘No Voter to be left behind’
17. List of agreements signed between India and UAE
The crown prince of UAE Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was on a visit to India recently as a Chief guest on the occasion of 68th Republic day of India.
During his visit, following MoUs were signed between both the countries:
Agreement on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the Republic of India and the UAE. MoU on cooperation in the field of Defence Industry. MoU on Institutional Cooperation on Maritime Transport. MOU on Mutual Recognition of Certificates of Competency as per the provisions of the Standards of Training, Certification and Watch-keeping Convention (STCW78) and amendments thereof. MoU on Bilateral Cooperation in the Road Transport and Highways Sector. MOU on cooperation in prevention and combating of human trafficking. MoU for the cooperation in the field of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and innovation MoU in agriculture and Allied sectors. MOU on mutual exemption of entry visa requirements to the holders of Diplomatic, special and Official Passports. MoU for cooperation in programme exchange. MoU on trade remedial measures to promote cooperation in areas of mutual interest. Agreement on Oil Storage And Management. MOU between National Productivity Council and Al Etihad Energy Services Co. LLC. MOU between National Security Council Secretariat of India & National Electronic Security Authority of the UAE.
18. UK experts launch project to tackle Delhi air pollution risks
Indian and British experts are joining hands on a project to help tackle health problems associated with air pollution in Delhi, which affect some 46 million people in and around the country’s capital city.
With air pollution levels at times up to 30 times greater than those found in the UK, Delhi was rated the most polluted city in the world for ambient air pollution by World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2014. Led by the University of Birmingham, the team involves experts from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, the Indian National Physical Laboratory and the University of Surrey.
19. Arunachal launches scheme to check infant mortality
Arunachal Pradesh launched 'Dulari Kanya', a special scheme to check infant mortality in the state, on the occasion of the 68th Republic Day.
Governor V Shanmuganathan launched the scheme, under which the government will deposit Rs 20,000 in the bank account of a girl child, born in any government hospital. It would be paid along with the accrued interest after she attains 18 years of her age.
20. Madhya Pradesh to ban polythene bags from May 1
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced a total ban on polythene bags in the state from May 1.
"Instead of polythene which is harmful for the environment, paper and cloth will be used. The state government has also resolved to free the region from open defecation.
21. DU becomes first public varsity with 'monumental' flag
Eleven months after all Central university vice-chancellors resolved to install the national flag "prominently and proudly" on their campuses, Delhi University has hoisted its first monumental flag.
According to the Flag Foundation of India, DU is the first public university in the country to get a monumental flagpole. The resolution to install the national flag on campuses was adopted on February 18 last year at a meeting chaired by then HRD Minister Smriti Irani with an aim of "instilling nationalism and pride" in students.
22. Meghalaya Governor V. Shanmuganathan resigns
Facing sexual harassment charges, Meghalaya Governor V Shanmuganathan resigned after a section of Raj Bhavan employees demanded his removal for “seriously compromising” the dignity of the gubernatorial office.
Mr. Shanmuganathan, who took over as the Governor of Meghalaya in May 2015, attended a Republic Day celebration in Arunachal Pradesh, whose additional charge he holds since November last year following the removal of Jyoti Prasad Rajkhowa.
23. Mysuru gets India’s 1st post office passport kendra
Mysuru got India's first Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK), which will offer all passport related services on the lines of PSKs.
The service will soon be expanded to neighbouring districts too. It has been named as POPSK because the ministry of external affairs (MEA) has tied up with the postal department to offer passport related services through a network of post offices. A similar service was launched at Dahod in Gujarat the same day.
24. President launches pulse polio immunization programme
President Pranab Mukherjee today launched the pulse polio programme for 2017 by administering polio drops to children aged below five years at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Mukherjee launched the countrywide programme on the eve of the National Immunization Day. Health minister J P Nadda and Ministers of State for Health Anupriya Patel and Faggan Singh Kulaste were present during the event. National Immunization Day 2017 was observed on 29 January.
25. Union Textiles Minister inaugurates 1st North East Investors’ Summit in Shillong
The Union Textiles Minister Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani inaugurated the 1st North East Investors’ Summit, organized jointly by the Ministry of Textiles and the Ministry of DoNER, at the State Convention Centre, in Shillong.
Focussed on manufacturing in textiles and allied sectors, the theme of the Summit is “Exploring Opportunities in North East Region”. The summit aims to showcase the NER as a global destination for investment, and to explore the possibility of bringing in convergence of efforts of various central Ministries and North Eastern States to attract investment in NER.
26. IMD plans weather stations in 660 districts
Keeping farm activities in mind, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has decided to set up weather stations in 660 districts of the country, a plan which will be further taken up to the blocks level.
In the first phase, the IMD plans to set up the system in 130 districts which have already been short-listed. The IMD has also tied up with the Ministry of Agriculture to use the Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in the districts, to use them as weather forecasting observatories. Weather forecasts will be issued four days a week between Monday and Thursday.
27. India’s inter-service military exercise ‘Tropex’ kicks off
The navy’s annual Theatre Readiness Operational Exercise (TROPEX) got underway on January 24.
The month-long exercise will have ships and aircraft of both the Western and Eastern Naval Commands, as also assets from the Indian Air Force, Indian Army and the Indian Coast Guard exercising together. The last edition of the exercise was conducted in January 2015.
28. Nitin Gadkari declares 1,253 km road in Assam as National Highways
The Centre will invest Rs 15,000 crores to develop 1,253 kilometres of roads in Assam into National Highways over the next few years, Union Minister Nitin Jairam Gadkari said.
Gadkari said the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) will spend Rs 8,000 crores over the next two years for developing 143 kilometres of road, including a few bridges over Brahmaputra.
He informed that Rs 1,00,000 crore worth of works for developing road infrastructure in Assam will be carried out by the end of the five-year tenure of the Central government.
29. 2017 World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting Held in Davos, Switzerland
The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2017 was held in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland from January 17-20, 2017.
The theme of 47th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2017 was ‘Responsive and Responsible Leadership’. A funding of $460-million to develop vaccines against 3 emerging highly-contagious and fatal diseases namely Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)-coronavirus, Lassa fever, and Nipah virus was launched.
30. IRDAI okays Swiss Re move to open Mumbai branch
Wholesale reinsurance provider Swiss Re said it has received approval from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) to open a branch in Mumbai.
With the composite branch licence, Swiss Re will be able to operate in India and offer both non-life and life and health reinsurance solutions directly to clients and brokers in the country, the company said.
31. Rescheduled Education Loan will not be Considered for Computing NPAs:RBI
In order to encourage banks to provide education loans, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has said rescheduling of payment period of such loans due to unemployment of borrower will not be treated as restructured accounts for computing NPAs.
The RBI’s response was on a clarification sought by the IBA whether the education loans with extended repayment period be treated as restructured loans.
32. Uber to launch food delivery app in India
Uber is soon going to launch its on-demand food delivery app UberEATS in India.
UberEATS was launched as a delivery pilot in Los Angeles in 2014. Since then, it has expanded to 58 cities. the service also exists in Bangkok, Singapore, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Taipei. Uber is currently looking to set up a network of restaurants, restaurant partners and delivery partners in India, before the service goes live.
33. Suryoday Small Finance Bank Limited commences operations
Suryoday Small Finance Bank Limited has commenced its operations as a small finance bank with effect from January 23, 2017.
The Reserve Bank has issued a licence to the bank under Section 22 (1) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 to carry on the business of small finance bank in India. Suryoday Micro Finance Private Limited, Navi Mumbai was one of the 10 applicants which were issued in-principle approval for setting up a small finance bank.
34. Utkarsh Small Finance Bank Limited commences operations
Utkarsh Small Finance Bank Limited has commenced its operations as a small finance bank with effect from January 23, 2017.
The Reserve Bank has issued a licence to the bank under Section 22 (1) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 to carry on the business of small finance bank in India. Utkarsh Micro Finance Private Limited, Varanasi was one of the 10 applicants which were issued in-principle approval for setting up a small finance bank.
35. RBI prohibits investments in 'non-cooperative countries'
Reserve Bank has prohibited Indian entities from making direct investments in any entity located in 'non co-operative countries and territories', as identified by the inter-governmental body FATF.
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) currently comprises two regional organisations and 35 member jurisdictions, including India, US, UK, China and the European Commission. The prohibition on investment is "in order to align" instructions under FEMA with the objectives of the FATF.
36. ‘GDP growth to slow to 6% in Oct-Dec 2016’: Nomura
Demonetisation has stymied India's GDP growth and the October-December quarter show is likely to be around 6 per cent, while for January-March it could climb down to 5.7 per cent, forecasts a Nomura report.
According to the Japanese financial services major, the consumption and services, which were the fastest growing segments pre-demonetisation, were the worst-hit. However a V shaped recovery is expected from the second half of 2017, it said. Earlier, Nomura had said in a report last November, that demonetisation could slow India's GDP growth to 6.5 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2016 against its estimate of 7.3 per cent and to 7.5 per cent in the first quarter of 2017 from 7.9 per cent.
37. Gujarat ranks first among states in moving towards cashless economy
When it comes to moving towards a cashless economy after demonetisation, a latest analysis based on data from over 5 million users of a personal finance app shows that Gujarat takes the top spot among states. It is followed by Telangana and Haryana.
One of the most industrialised states in the country, Maharashtra ranks 10th on the list, while Delhi stands fifth. A personal finance management app called Walnut has created a scorecard comparing how each state is moving towards a cashless economy post-demonetisation.
38. Karnataka Bank, Tirth Agro Technology sign Mou on agricultural mechanization
private sector bank - Karnataka Bank Ltd entered into a memorandum of understanding with the leading agricultural equipment/implements manufacturer M/s Tirth Agro Technology Pvt Ltd, Rajkot, to finance farmers for agri mechanisation.
The MoU aims to establish platform to form a relation on co-operation between the two in identifying farmers buying agricultural implements/equipment and financing them by the bank on its terms.
39. HDFC Bank to deploy 20 humanoids in its branches in next 2 years
India's second largest private sector lender HDFC bank will deploy atleast 20 humanoids in its branches in the next two years.
A fortnight ago the bank had announced that it will soon introduce a humanoid IRA - intelligent robotic assistant to help its branch staff in servicing customers. Developed using Robotics and Artificial Intelligence technologies, IRA will be positioned near the Welcome Desk, where it will greet customers and guide them to the relevant counter in the branch such as Cash Deposit, Foreign Exchange, Loans, among others in the first phase.
40. SBI wealth management product launched in Kochi
State Bank of India (SBI) has launched ‘SBI Exclusif,’ its wealth management offering, in Kochi. It will be rolled out in other cities in the state during the course of the year.
Launching the product, S Venkataraman, Chief General Manager, SBI, Kerala Circle, said that wealth management has been one of the strategic priorities of the bank. SBI Exclusif is targeted at the fast-growing affluent segment and was launched in Bengaluru and Delhi last year.
41. GAAR ready to take off on April 1
India made clear that the General Anti-Avoidance Rule (Gaar) will come into effect on April 1 as previously announced but sought to alleviate concerns of foreign investors about the fairness of its implementation.
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) issued a set of clarifications in the form of questions and answers toward this end in response to representations by industry. Gaar aims to deny tax benefits to an entity that exploits an investment avenue solely for the purpose of avoiding payment of taxes in India.
42. India's largest start-up incubator to be set up at Hubballi
The Deshpande Foundation entrepreneur Gururaj ‘Desh’ Deshpande, will launch the country’s largest start-up incubation centre at Hubblli, alongside the new campus of information technology giant Infosys.
The foundation aims to promote entrepreneurship in India’s tier-II and tier-III cities. It is investing Rs 30 crore in the centre, to be opened this September and able to seat 1,200 people at any point.
43. HPCL, GAIL ink pact with Andhra Pradesh govt for Rs 40k-crore project
Hindustan Petroleum Corp (HPCL) and GAIL India has signed an agreement with the Andhra Pradesh government for setting up a Rs 40,000-crore petrochemical plant in the state.
The 50:50 joint venture will set up a 1.5-million tonnes ethylene derivatives plant, which will produce a wide range of petrochemical raw materials for the manufacture of detergents, paints and coatings, cosmetics, textiles and adhesives. The plant will be set up at the Petroleum, Chemical and Petrochemicals Investment Region (PCPIR) sites identified by the state government at Kakinada.
44. Alibaba's financial arm acquires MoneyGram
Ant Financial, e-commerce giant Alibaba's financial arm, has reached an agreement to acquire American money-transfer major MoneyGram for $880 million, in a deal that will expand the firm's business in the US after India and Thailand.
The transaction will connect MoneyGram's money transfer network of 2.4 billion bank and mobile accounts and 350,000 physical locations with Ant Financial's users, according. MoneyGram will remain headquartered in Dallas and continue to operate under its existing brand.
45. REC inks pacts with Andhra Pradesh for Rs 60,000 crore funding
State-owned Rural Electrification Corporation Ltd has inked three pacts to extend financial assistance of around Rs 60,000 crore to Andhra Pradesh.
The financial assistance comprises Rs 40,000 crore to Andhra Pradesh Power Generation Corp, Rs 10,000 to Transmission Corporation of Andhra Pradesh and Rs 10,000 crore to AP DISCOMSs.
46. Anurag Thakur elected Himachal Pradesh Olympic Association president
Ousted as BCCI president following a Supreme Court order, Anurag Thakur was unanimously elected head of the Himachal Pradesh Olympic Association (HPOA) for a four-year term.
Thakur was elected at the HPOA's Annual General Meeting. Virender Kanwar was elected senior vice-president, while Rajesh Bhandari, who is a vice president in the Boxing Federation of India, was elected general secretary.
47. Pravind Kumar jugnauth sworn in as PM of Mauritius
New Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth who assumed office after his father Anerood Jugnauth, 86, stepped down from the post.
Anerood Jugnauth, who has been in his post since 2014, announced that he was resigning in favour of a "younger and more dynamic leader". Pravind Jugnauth, 55, is the leader of the main political party Militant Socialist Movement (MSM), and had already formed his ministerial cabinet after receiving an appointment letter from President Ameenah Gurib-Fakim.
48. PepsiCo executive Vishal Kaul appointed as Ola COO
Transportation app Ola said it has appointed former PepsiCo executive Vishal Kaul as its Chief Operating Officer (COO).
He succeeds Pranay Jivrajka, Ola's first employee. Jivrajka has now been appointed as Founding Partner and will continue to work closely with Bhavish Aggarwal, Ola co-founder and CEO.
49. Foreign Secretary Jaishankar gets one-year extension
Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar, whose tenure was scheduled to end on January 28, has been given a second extension of his term by one year, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet said in a notification.
According to the notification, Jaishankar's term has been extended from January 29, 2017 until January 28, 2018. Economic Secretary Shaktikanta Das has also got an extension of three months till May 31.
50. UN appoints Director of UNIC in New Delhi
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed a senior Dutch official as head of the world bodys information centre in New Delhi, covering India and Bhutan.
Derk Segaar of the Netherlands has been appointed Director of the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in New Delhi. He assumed his duties on January 20.
51. Sports Minister Vijay Goel reconstitutes TOP committee
The Union Minister of State (I/C) for Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Vijay Goel has reconstituted TOP committee with the objective of identifying and supporting potential medal prospects for 2020 and 2024 Olympic Games under the “Target Olympic Podium” scheme.
The committee will select elite athletes to provided financial assistance for their customized training at Institutes having world class facilities and other necessary support. The 10 member committee will be headed by Beijing Olympic Gold Medalist Abhinav Bindra.
52. Banwarilal Purohit sworn in as acting governor of Meghalaya
Assam Governor Banwarilal Purohit was sworn in as the acting Governor of Meghalaya by Shillong High Court Chief Justice Dinesh Maheshwari at Raj Bhavan.
The post had become vacant after V Shanmuganathan resigned following charges of inappropriate behaviour against him. He also held an additional charge as the governor of Arunachal Pradesh. Nagaland Governor Padmanabha Balakrishna Acharya has been sworn in and now given the additional charge of Arunachal Pradesh.
53. Dr Bhatkar appointed new VC Nalanda University
Vijay Pandurang Bhatkar, a technocrat who is considered the father of the Indian Supercomputer, has been appointed the new Vice-Chancellor of Nalanda University, Rajgir, in Bihar.
President Pranab Mukherjee, in his capacity as Visitor to Nalanda University, named Bhatkar for the post with effect from January 25. He will hold the office for a three-year period from the date of his appointment as per the Nalanda University Act, Sec 11(3). Bhatkar, 70, replaces Gopa Sabharwal who resigned on November 24 last year, followed by the resignation of Chancellor George Yeo.
54. Tokyo Olympics unveils Goku from Dragonball Z as a brand ambassador
Tokyo Olympic Committee has now announced that Son Goku, a cult anime character from Dragonball Z, will serve as one of its brand ambassadors.
Goku will have Naruto, Shin Chan, Sailor Moon, Petty Cure, Luffy and Astroboy for company in the ambassadorial role with their faces plastered over the official merchandises. Tokyo was announced as the host in 2013 and the Games are scheduled to be held from July 24 to August 9 2020.
55. AP Singh is interim head of Postal Bank
India Post Payments Bank (IPPB), floated by the postal department, has received Reserve Bank of India’s final nod to commence commercial operations.
The Centre has appointed AP Singh, who was earlier Joint Secretary in the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management, as the interim Managing Director and CEO of IPPB. Singh was also in the founding team of the Unique Identification Authority of India.
56. Amulya Patnaik appointed new police chief
Amulya Patnaik, a 1985-batch IPS officer, has been appointed as Delhi Police Commissioner.
He will have one of the longest tenures as Delhi Police chief. He is set to retire in January 2020.
He has been serving as the Special Commissioner of Police (Vigilance and administration) in Delhi Police
He will take charge from commissioner Alok Verma who is now CBI director.
His order of appointment was released by the ministry of home affairs.
57. UN Appointed Ashok Amritraj as India Goodwill Ambassador
Award-winning Hollywood film producer and Wimbledon tennis player, Ashok Amritraj has been appointed by the United Nations as India Goodwill Ambassador for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Chairman and CEO of the Hyde Park Entertainment Group, Mr. Amritraj is the first Ambassador for the UN in India.
Ashok Amritraj has made over 100 films during the span of his 30-year extraordinary career.
He has been a pioneering force in bridging India and Hollywood through film and media.
58. SC appoints Vinod Rai to head BCCI interim panel
The Supreme Court has appointed Vinod Rai as the head of the administration panel to oversee the affairs of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Rai, the former Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), will be heading a four-member panel that will consist of noted historian and writer Ramachandra Guha, former women's cricket team captain Diana Edulji and Vikram Limay.
The members are:
Vinod Rai
Vinod Rai served as the 11th Comptroller and Auditor General of India from 2008 to 2013.
He was known for raising the profile of the office of CAG and is credited for reporting the allocation of License of 2G spectrum which resulted in the revelation of a massive scam.
Currently, he's chairman of United Nations Panel of External Auditors.
Ramachandra Guha
Ramchandra Guha is a noted historian, columnist and cricket writer who is based in Bangalore.
He's known for his work in environmental history and has authored award-winning books including India after Gandhi and A Corner of a Foreign Field which talks about Indian cricket history.
Diana Edulji
The lone sportsperson in the panel, Diana Edulji is a former India women cricket team captain with a 17-year long international career.
For her sporting achievement, she received the Arjuna Award in 1983 and Padma Shri in 2002 - India's fourth highest civilian award.
Vikram Limaye
Vikram Limaye is the Managing Director and CEO of Infrastructure Development Finance Company Limited (IDFC).
He's a qualified Chartered Accountant and holds an MBA degree from the United States of America.
59. Warner wins Allan Border Medal for second year in succession
David Warner, the Australia cricket team opener, has been named the country's best cricketer of the year, securing the Allan Border medal for the second year in succession.
He joined an exclusive list of Australian cricketers who have won the medal more than once, becoming only the fourth player to do so. Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke and while Shane Watson have also achieved the feat twice or more. Warner was also named the ODI cricketer of the Year. The Belinda Clark award for the best women's cricketer of the year went to Meg Lanning, the Australia captain. Meanwhile, Mitchell Starc was named Australia's Test cricketer of the year. Shane Watson was named the T20I cricketer of the year. Veteran allrounder Cameron White was named the domestic player of the year. Hilton Cartwright and Sophie Molineux were named the male and female young cricketers of the year respectively.
60. Sakshi, Sindhu, Dipa honoured with special stamp cover
In a rare honour for sporting personalities in the country, Olympian gymnast Dipa Karmakar has found a proud place on a special cover released by India Post.
The Indian postal department released a special cover featuring the Olympian during a district-level philatelic exhibition in Agartala. The special cover titled "Golden girls of India - Pride of Nation" features Dipa along with shuttler PV Sindu and wrestler Sakshi Malik, all of whom have been awarded the nation's highest sports award Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna last year.
61. Delhi International Airport wins Golden Peacock award
The Delhi International Airport (Private) Limited (DIAL) has won the ‘Golden Peacock Award for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the transportation sector under the Aviation category for the year 2016.
The award has been given to the dial by the Institute of Directors during 11th International Conference on Corporate Social Responsibility. Golden Peacock Award was established in 1991 by The Institute of Directors. It is considered the benchmark for corporate excellence area.
62. DVC gets NTPC award
Damodar Valley Corporation said it received NTPC award 2015-16 from Union Power Minister of Piyush Goyal.
DVC chairman Andrew WK Langstieh, received the prize by Goyal amongst the power sectors under for implementation of Official Language.
63. Padma awards 2017 announced
Padma Vibhushan
1. Sharad Pawar 2. MM Joshi 3. Sadguru Jaggi Vasudev 4. KJ Yesudas 5. Udupi Ramachandra Rao 6. Sunder Lal Patwa (posthumous) 7. PA Sangma (posthumous)
Padma Bhushan 1. Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt 2. Prof Devi Prasad Dwivedi 3. DR. Tehemtn Irc Udvadia 4. Mr. Ratna Sundar Maharaj 5. NAND Niranjan Saraswati 6. Cho. Ramaswamy (posthumous) 7. Mahachakri Sirindhorn
Padma Shri award 2017 was awarded to 75 personalities from various sectors.
64. Three Indian-origin conferred with Australia's highest civilian award
Three Indian-origin persons have been awarded Australia's highest civilian honour this year for their contributions in the field of medicine and work towards the community.
Purushottam Sawrikar, a Sydney-based medical practitioner, received Order of Australia medal for the year 2017 announced on the Australia Day in General division category for his service to medicine, and to the Indian community. Makhan Singh Khangure from Perth was given the award for his for significant service to medicine in the field of neuroradiology, to education, and to a range of professional medical associations. Vijay Kumar, a nuclear medicine specialist and a researcher, was given the award for his significant service to medical research in the disciplines of nuclear medicine and biology, to professional organisations, and to the community.
65. National Geoscience Award for Keshav Krishna
A. Keshav Krishna, a scientist at the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) has been selected for the National Geoscience Award for 2016.
The award given by the Union Ministry of Mines is in recognition of his work in the field of geo-environmental studies. Krishna is presently involved in studies on environmental risk assessment related heavy metal contamination in soil.
66. Iris Mittenaere of France Crowned Miss Universe 2016
Iris Mittenaere of France bags the Miss Universe 2016 pageant held in the Philippines.
The finalists who advanced to top 3 hailed from Haiti, France, and Colombia. Eighty-six candidates were vying for the coveted crown, which was last held by Miss Philippines Pia Wurtzbach from the Philippines.
India's Roshmitha Harimurthy could not make it to the final 13 list of the pageant. Bollywood actress Sushmita Sen, who won her Miss Universe pageant in the year 1994 at Manila, was also on the judges panel this year.
67. Wriddhiman Saha’s double century helps Rest of India clinch Irani Trophy
Wriddhiman Saha of Bengal scored an unbeaten 203 and his 316-run stand with Cheteshwar Pujara (116 not out) helped Rest of India clinch the Irani Trophy against Ranji Trophy champions Gujarat in Mumbai.
Rest of India won by six wickets even after Gujarat took the first innings lead. Wriddhiman Saha was adjudged the Man of the Match Rest of India won the Irani Trophy for the 15th time.
68. Dhruva Sunish wins ITF Juniors title
Dhruv Sunish finally got the taste of ITF Juniors title when he won the boys singles crown downing Kazakhstan's Dostanbek Tashbulatov at the Dakshin Kalikata Sansad clay courts.
The under-18 India number two, who had lost in the finals of the Chandigarh Grade 3 ITF Juniors in the first week of 2017 and 2 ITF Juniors in 2016, played flawless to drub the Kazakh 6-2 6-3.
69. Bolt loses relay gold after Jamaica's Carter tests positive
Jamaica's Usain Bolt has lost one of his nine Olympic gold medals and his perfect triple treble of Games' sprint victories after team mate Nesta Carter was found guilty of doping at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Carter was found in re-tests of his sample to have taken the banned stimulant methylhexaneamine, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said, meaning Jamaica's 4x100 metres relay team must give back their gold medals.
70. PV Sindhu, Sameer Verma claim Syed Modi International GP titles
PV Sindhu eased to her first title of 2017 at the Syed Modi International Grand Prix badminton championships, with Sameer Verma emerging victorious in the men’s section.
Rio Olympics silver medalist Sindhu outplayed unseeded Indonesian Gregoria Mariska 21- 13, 21-14, claiming her sixth career Grand Prix gold title. Verma had to go some extra miles before beating compatriot and ninth seed Sai Praneet 21-19, 21-16 for his maiden GP gold title. In the mixed doubles final, an all-Indian affair, Ashwini pairing with B Sumeeth Reddy went down to second seeds Pranaav Jerry Chopra and Sikki Reddy 20-22, 10-21.
71. Australian Open 2017
Australian open tennis tournament 2017 was concluded on 29th January 2017. It is the first Grand Slam tournament of the year.
Category Winner Runner Up Men’s Singles Roger Federer (Switzerland) Rafael Nadal (Spain) Women’s Singles Serena Williams (USA) Venus Williams (USA) Bob Bryan (USA)and Mike Men’s Doubles J Peers and H Kontinen Bryan (USA) Bathenie Mattek Sands (USA) A. Hlaváčková (Czech Women’s Doubles and Lucie Safarova (Czech Republic) and S. Peng (China) Republic) Abigail Spears (USA) and J Sania Mirza (India) and Ivan Mixed Doubles Cabal (Colombia) Dodig (Croatia)
72. Sachin & Sourav inaugurates India's first multi-sport museum
Former Team India cricket captains Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly has inaugurated India's first multi-sport museum.
Named ‘Fanattic Sports Museum’, this is a joint venture of sports historian Boria Majumdar and industrialist Harshavardhan Neotia.
73. Abul Hossain wins Kolkata Marathon
Siliguri lad Abul Hossain won the Kolkata Marathon as amateur runners from north Bengal and Northeast India dominated the first edition of the meet.
Hossain won the race with a timing of two hours 34 minutes and two seconds to leave Kolkata lad Biswanath Pal second, five minutes behind.
Sikkim's Mangali Tamang won the women's half marathon with a timing of one hour 31 minutes and 13 seconds.
74. Urdu poet and lyricist Naqsh Lyallpuri passes away
Renowned Urdu poet and lyricist Jaswant Rai Sharma, known to the world by his pen name Naqsh Lyallpuri, died. He was 89.
Though he got his first break in 1952 as a song writer, real success eluded him till the early 1970s.
Saddened by later day demands to infuse crude lyrics for songs, Lyallpuri retired from Bollywood in the late 1990s and penned songs for television. He made a brief comeback in 2005-06 penning songs for the films 'Taj Mahal' with Naushad and 'Yatra' with Khayyam.
75. Russian ambassador to India Alexander Kadakin dies
Russian Ambassador Alexander Kadakin, a fluent Hindi-speaking career diplomat considered a great friend of India, passed away a brief illness. He was 67.
Kadakin, who was serving as the Ambassador here since 2009, was credited with playing a significant role in promotion of relations between India and Russia. This was his second stint as the Ambassador, having served one between 1999 and 2004.
76. US actress Mary Tyler Moore passes away
Legendary actress Mary Tyler Moore, who delighted a generation of Americans with her energetic comic performances, died after suffering years of ill health. She was 80.
Moore's eponymous sitcom ran for seven seasons in the 1970s and was cited as one of 17 shows that 'changed television.'
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