NATIONAL NEWS
Central govt approves establishment of new AIIMS in Haryana's Manethi
The Centre has given approval to the establishment of new All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) at Manethi in Haryana's Rewari district at a cost of Rs. 1299 crore. The objective is to establish the new AIIMS as Institutions of National Importance for providing quality tertiary healthcare, medical education, nursing education and research in the region.
- The Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), a Central Sector Scheme, aims at correcting the imbalances in the availability of affordable tertiary healthcare facilities in different parts of the country. AIIMS in Haryana was announced in the Interim Budget Speech for the year 2019-20.
Cabinet nod for Rs 1,450 cr to purchase RBI stake in National Housing Bank
The Union Cabinet approved an expenditure of Rs 1,450 crore for purchase of the Reserve Bank of India-held shares in the National Housing Bank (NHB), Finance Minister Arun Jaitley announced following a Cabinet meeting in New Delhi. The RBI currently holds 100 per cent stake in the NHB.
- The National Housing Bank Act, 1987, had been amended by the Finance Bill 2018 in order to transfer the RBI's stake in the NHB to the government.
Cabinet approves centre for disability sports at Gwalior
The Union Cabinet approved the proposal for setting up of a Centre for Disability Sports at Gwalior. To be registered under the Societies Registration Act, the proposed Centre will entail an estimated cost of Rs 170.99 crore and be completed in 5 years.
- The improved sports infrastructure created by this Centre will ensure effective participation of persons with disabilities in sports activities and also enable them to compete at national and international levels.
Cabinet approves ordinance to set up New Delhi International Arbitration Centre
The Union Cabinet approved promulgation of an ordinance for establishing the New Delhi International Arbitration Centre (NDIAC) to create an independent and autonomous regime for institutionalised arbitration.
- The government, "in view of the urgency to make India a hub of institutionalised arbitration and promote 'ease of doing business'", has decided to promulgate The New Delhi International Arbitration Centre Ordinance, 2019.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs launches schemes of Minimum Support Price for Minor Forest produces
Shri Jual Oram, Union Minister of Tribal Affairs launched the ambitious scheme of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Van Dhan, the scheme for Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Minor Forest Produce Scheme (MFP) and Development of Value Chain of MFPs at a National Workshop organized by Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited (TRIFED) under Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
- This programme promotes enterprise and marketing skills in tribals. Van Dhan scheme aims to take the share of the Minor Forest Produces to 70 to 80%. The Prime Minister of India launched the Van Dhan Scheme in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh on 14th April, 2018.
MAHE - only private Indian University featured in QS World Rankings
Manipal Academy of Higher Education achieved another milestone, as it became the only private University in India to be featured in the QS World rankings in the areas of Medicine and Pharmacy. This is the third consecutive year that MAHE is the highest ranked private University in the country.
- Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) became the only private University to be featured along with four Institutions in Medicine and Pharmacy viz. AIIMS (Delhi), Jamia Hamdard (New Delhi) & Banaras Hindu University (Uttar Pradesh).
Environment minister launches anthem on 'plastic-free India' in 7 languages
Union Minister Harsh Vardhan launched an anthem as a part of a campaign to make India plastic-free by 2022, and stressed on strengthening plastic waste management and recycling ecosystem in the country. The ''Plastic Waste-Free India'' has been anthem, prepared and produced by Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Smriti Manch (PDUSM), a non-profit organisation which claims to be working on various social and environmental issues.
- The anthem has been launched in 7 languages- Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Tamil, Telegu, Malyalam and Kannada.
Karnataka launches ambitious 'Jalamrutha' scheme
'Jalamrutha', an ambitious water conservation scheme was launched by Karnataka chief minister, H D Kumaraswamy at a programme organized by rural development and panchayat raj department at Dr B R Ambedkar Bhavan in Bengaluru. On the occasion the CM also announced the year 2019 as 'Jalavarsha (year of water)'.
- This initiative by the government has been taken in advance to obviate water-related problems which might grip the humanity in future. The aim is to educate people of the value of water and the need to conserve it in all the possible ways.
Haryana govt. announces Mukhyamantri Parivar Samman Nidhi Yojana 2019
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced the "Mukhyamantri Parivar Samman Nidhi" scheme for farmers of the state cultivating up to 5 acres of land and families having income less than Rs. 15,000 per month.
- Under the scheme, each beneficiary family would be eligible for a financial assistance of Rs. 6,000 every year and each family will have to nominate a member to avail this benefit.
Signalchip unveils India's first semiconductor chips for 4G/5G connectivity
Bengaluru-based fabless semiconductor company, Signalchip, unveiled India’s first semiconductor chips for 4G/LTE and 5G NR modems, which would enable high-speed wireless communication. These chips put India into an elite group of countries that own this widely used fundamental technology.
- The series of chips, code-named ‘Agumbe’ (a small village located in Shimoga district in Karnataka) are the result of over eight years of research and development by Signalchip engineers.
AYUSH Minister lays foundation stone for National Institute of Unani Medicine
AYUSH Minister Shripad Yesso Naik laid the foundation stone for National Institute of Unani Medicine at Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh. This institute would be developed with an approximate cost of 300 crore rupees on 10 acres of land. It would be one of the largest institutes of Unani Medicine in Northern India.
- The institute would cater to the needs of the masses and would have facilities for quality research and education at postgraduate and PhD levels with a 200 bedded hospital.
BANKING & FINANCE
Fraud-hit PNB ranks highest in implementation of 'reforms agenda'
Fraud-hit Punjab National Bank has been ranked first among public sector banks in the implementation of 'reforms agenda', followed by Bank of Baroda and State Bank of India. The BCG-IBA report – EASE Reforms for Public Sector Banks measures performance of each PSB.
- PNB with a score of 78.4 out of 100 has been ranked first in the EASE (Enhanced Access & Service Excellence)-index, followed by BoB, SBI, Oriental Bank of Commerce, Canara Bank and Syndicate Bank.
IDBI Bank, LIC ink bancassurance pact
IDBI Bank and Life Insurance Corporation of India have signed a bancassurance agreement under which the lender will offer LIC’s insurance products at its branches.
- IDBI Bank as a corporate agent of LIC would get a window to provide LIC’s entire gamut of insurance offerings to the bank’s 1.80-crore customer base spread over 1,800 branches across the country.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
GDP growth in Q3 of 2018-19 pegged at 6.6%
The economic growth of India slowed to a low of 6.6 per cent in October to December period of current fiscal year 2018-19. GDP at constant (2011-12) prices in Q3 of 2018-19 is estimated at Rs 35 lakh crore, as against Rs 32.85 lakh crore in Q3 of 2017-18, showing a growth rate of 6.6 per cent, said the Central Statistics Office (CSO) which operates under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
India to grow at 7.3% for next 2 years despite global slowdown: Moody's
Even as the global economy will further weaken in 2019 and 2020, India's economy will grow at 7.3 per cent in both the calendar years as it is less exposed to the global slowdown, the US-based rating agency said in its quarterly Global Macro Outlook for 2019 and 2020.
- It said India and Indonesia are poised to grow at a relatively stable pace, though below their respective potential. The global economy weakened significantly in the fourth quarter of 2018 and will continue to weaken throughout 2019 and into 2020.
- Extra info.:
Moody Headquarters: New York
SPORTS
Gayle 1st batsman in the world to smash 500 sixes in int'l cricket
Windies' 39-year-old opener Chris Gayle has become the first ever batsman to smash 500 sixes in international cricket and the second batsman to slam 300 ODI sixes. Gayle smashed 14 sixes during his 97-ball 162-run knock against England in fourth ODI to reach 506 international sixes. He has hit 98 sixes in Tests, 305 in ODIs and 103 in T20Is.
K.L. Rahul only Indian in top 10 batsmen in T20 rankings
K L Rahul was the lone Indian to feature in the top 10 batting list in the latest ICC T20 International Players Rankings released recently. Formerly top-ranked Virat Kohli up two places to 17th and former captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni up seven places to 56th have also gained among Indian batsmen.
- In the ICC Men's T20 International Team Rankings, India have retained their second position. Australia have overtaken South Africa and England to reach third place and to within two points of India. Pakistan lead the team rankings with 135 points, 13 points ahead of India.
Dutee Chand clinches gold in Indian Grand Prix-2
Asian Games silver medallist Dutee Chand ran in 200m women’s race to win her second gold medal in the Indian Grand Prix series 2019 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. The timing will help Dutee improve her IAAF World Ranking in the 200m event.
- The silver medal went to Anjali Devi of Haryana while Supriya Maddal of Andhra Pradesh bagged the bronze medal.
British boxer James DeGale announces retirement
Two-time world boxing champion James DeGale announced his retirement 10 years after his professional debut. DeGale beat Andre Dirrell for the vavant IBF super middleweight title in 2015 in Boston, then successfully defended it three times across the Atlantic.
AWARDS
Indian-Origin Woman who spied for UK in WWII gets 'Blue Plaque' Honour
Britain’s World War II spy Noor Inayat Khan was confirmed as the first Indian-origin woman to be honoured with a Blue Plaque at her former London home. The Blue Plaque scheme run by English Heritage honours notable people who lived or worked in particular buildings across London.
- Major Indian figures to be honoured with Blue Plaques in London include Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and B R Ambedkar, who spent time in the city during the Indian national movement against Britain's colonial rule.
Bharti AXA General wins 'Assocham Non-Life Insurer of The Year Award'
Bharti AXA General Insurance has been conferred with the 'Non-Life Insurer of The Year Award 2019 by the Assocham, one of the apex trade associations of India. The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) honored Bharti AXA General Insurance with this recognition for its excellence and contribution to the non-life insurance sector during the Insurance Leaders Meet 2019 (Regulation, Disruption and Product Dynamics) and Excellence Awards in Kolkata.
- ASSOCHAM Non-Life Insurer of The Year Award is a testimony to the trust reposed in the company by its customers, stakeholders and the industry as well.
- Extra info.:
ASSOCHAM Headquarters: New Delhi
Sir Alastair Cook Officially Receives Knighthood At Buckingham Palace
Former England skipper Alastair Cook officially received the knighthood for his services to cricket at an investiture ceremony in Buckingham Palace. He is the first England cricketer to receive a knighthood since Sir Ian Botham in 2007.
- The 34-year-old retired from international cricket last year and hit a memorable century in his final Test match against India at The Oval.
OBITUARIES
Oscar-winning composer Andre Previn passes away
Four-time Oscar-winning music composer Andre Previn passed away. He was 89. Previn had composed music for dozens of movies. He won the Oscar for "Gigi", "Porgy & Bess", "Irma la Douce" and "My Fair Lady". He also wrote songs and scores for 1950s films "Bad Day at Black Rock", "Designing Women" and "Hot Summer Nights".
- Critics described Previn as a "wunderkind in a turtleneck" and the "Mickey Mouse maestro".
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