By: D.K Choudhary
DRDO tests interceptor missile successfully
i. India’s Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) shield got a further fillip with the successful test of an interceptor supersonic missile conducted by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)ii. The Advanced Area Defence (AAD) endo-atmospheric missile capable of intercepting incoming target missile at an altitude of 15 to 25 km range was tested.
iii. It was launched from the Abdul Kalam Island off Odisha coast to stop an incoming enemy missile which was launched from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur.
iii. It was launched from the Abdul Kalam Island off Odisha coast to stop an incoming enemy missile which was launched from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur.
Number of Jan Dhan accounts rose by 2.26 crore after note ban
i. The demonetization of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 bank notes on November 8, 2016, seems to have given a thrust to new account opening under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY).ii. A hundred days after demonetization, the number of accounts under the PMJDY has increased by 2.26 crore and deposits by Rs 19,084 crore. A major share of new PMJDY accounts came from Uttar Pradesh (57.11 lakh), followed by Maharashtra (25.05 lakh), and Madhya Pradesh (24.11 lakh).
Panneerselvam inaugurates ‘Amma Kalviyagam’
i. Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam launched a portal which will be a hub of learning, interaction, opportunity, and connection.ii. The ‘ammakalviyagam.in’, named after late chief minister Jayalalithaa, was launched by Panneerselvam as part of her 69th birth anniversary celebrations. Jayalalithaa is fondly addressed as ‘Amma’ (Mother) by her supporters.
iii. It is a platform for learners, experts, academic and industry professionals, and recruiters to meet, gain and provide skills, and discover and hone talent.
Aashray inks MoU with Jharkhand, to set up incubation center for start-ups
i. Gujarat-based Incube Ventures Pvt Ltd, under the banner of Aashray Promotion of Social Enterprises Foundation announced the signing of an MoU with the Jharkhand government’s Department of Information Technology and e-Governance (DoIT) to establish an incubation center for start-ups in the state.ii. The MoU was entered in the ‘Momentum Jharkhand Global Investors Summit 2017’ held recently.
Ajay Tyagi takes charge as 9th Sebi chief
i. IAS officer Ajay Tyagi is taking charge as the chairman of Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on 2 March 2017. He has replaced Mr. U.K Sinha. Mr. Tyagi needs to immediately take a call on five key issues.World Bank offers over $1-billion loan to Maharashtra
i. The World Bank has announced an assistance programme of over $1 billion in the areas of urban transport and climate resilient agriculture in Maharashtra, over the next 2-3 years.ii. This was announced by the World Bank’s Chief Executive Officer, Kristalina Georgieva. Over the last five years, World Bank had invested over $1.4 billion in Maharashtra in urban transport, rural water supply, and agriculture.
Reliance General Insurance, Catholic Syrian Bank tie up
i. Reliance General Insurance (RGI), a part of Reliance Capital, has entered into a bancassurance tie-up with Catholic Syrian Bank.ii. With this tie-up, RGI will offer its general insurance products to Catholic Syrian Bank’s 1.5 million customer base spread across its 430 branches in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra.
JS Deepak named India’s next Ambassador to WTO
i. Telecom Secretary J S Deepak was named India’s next Ambassador to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) from June 2017.ii. A 1982 batch IAS officer from Uttar Pradesh, Mr. Deepak has been shifted with “immediate effect” from the telecom ministry and has been made Officer on Special Duty in the commerce department.
BEML launches solar rooftop project in Karnataka
i. BEML (Bharat Earth Movers Limited), a defense public sector company, has set itself a goal of utilizing 100 percent renewable energy for its consumption.ii. In this endeavor, the company has inaugurated a 200 KW grid connected rooftop solar project at its Mysore complex. To achieve 100% renewable energy, BEML has set up a 5 MW windmill project in Gadag district in north Karnataka.
Luis Norton de Matos appointed new head coach of India U-17 football team
i. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) appointed Portugal’s Luis Norton de Matos as the head coach of the India Under-17 team for the FIFA Under-17 World Cup.ii. The tournament is scheduled to be held in October 2017 in India. A former manager with the Benfica Reserve side, De Matos replaces Nicolai Adam, who was forced to resign under controversial circumstances after a revolt from the players.
Kohli nominated for Polly Umrigar award, Ashwin for Dilip Sardesai award
i. India captain Virat Kohli was nominated for the prestigious Polly Umrigar award while all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin named for the Dilip Sardesai award.The awards will be presented at the BCCI Annual Awards to be held in Bengaluru on 8th March, 2017.ii. Kohli becomes the first Indian cricketer to get Polly Umrigar award on the third occasion after 2011-12 and 2014-15 season.
iii. Ashwin will also become the first cricketer to receive the ‘Dilip Sardesai Award’ twice. The award is given to honor the best performance in the bilateral Test series between India and West Indies.
