Current Affairs Daily Updates: 12th and 13th February 2017

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Current Affairs Daily Updates: 12th and 13th February 2017

APPOINTMENTS
Neelu Rohmetra is the first woman to be appointed director of an IIM at Sirmaur:
  • Prof Neelu Rohmetra of Jammu University is the first woman to be appointed director of an IIM at Sirmaur. She specialises in HRD and cross-culture management. 
  • The government recently appointed heads of 10 Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), including the first woman to head one of the 20 premier B-schools in the country.
  • The IIMs that got new directors are in Bodhgaya (Bihar), Sirmaur (Himachal Pradesh), Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), Trichy (Tamil Nadu), Nagpur (Maharashtra), Sambalpur (Odisha), Raipur (Chhattisgarh), Rohtak (Haryana), Ranchi (Jharkhand) and Bangalore.
Narinder Chauhan appointed as Ambassador of India to the Republic of Philippines
  • Former IFS officer Narinder Chauhan has been appointed as the next Ambassador of lndia to the Republic of the Philippines on February 11, 2017.
  • Currently Narinder is working as the Ambassador of India to the Republic of Serbia.
Diego Maradona Gets Ambassador Role at FIFA.
  • The FIFA governing body has named Argentina’s former soccer player Diego Maradona as the new Ambassador of the FIFA .
  • The 56 year old will have major role in FIFA’s activities to promote the game across the globe and will also be be involved in relevant development projects.
Sandeep Jajodia appointed Assocham president
  • Monnet Ispat & Energy Ltd. CMD Sandeep Jajodia has been appointed the new president of industry chamber Assocham.
  • Balkrishan Goenka, Chairman, Welspun Group and Kiran Kumar Grandhi, vice-chairman of GMR Infrastructure Ltd, have taken over as senior vice-president and vice-president respectively.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
Grammy Awards to include first-ever transgender ‘trophy girl’:
  • The three trophy handlers at the ceremony are transgender model Martina Robledo, model and actor Derek Marrocco, and model and actress Hollin Haley. 
  • The 59th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony will be held on February 12, 2017.
Indian holds record for longest cycle journey in a country
  • Prasad Erande from Pune travelled 14,576 kilometres on a cycle across India, establishing a Guinness World Record for the 'longest journey by bicycle in a single country'.
  • He covered the distance between June 22-November 9 in 2014. "It increased my inner strength and taught me how to survive when conditions are not in my favour," said Erande about the journey.
BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC AFFAIRS
Union Government plans to invest Rs.2,200 crore in electronic technology start-ups
  • The Union Government is targeting an investment of about Rs. 2,200 crore in start-ups working on new technologies in the electronic sector under the Electronics Development Fund (EDF) by 2019.
  • This investment aims at creating an eco-system to make India a global hub for electronics manufacturing.
Reliance Defence signs warship repair pact with US Navy
  • Anil Ambani group led Reliance Defence and Engineering Limited (RDEL) has signed a Master Ship Repair Agreement (MSRA) with the US Navy to provide repair and alteration services for ships of the Seventh Fleet.
  • With this, RDEL became first Indian company (either public or private) to provide logistical support to the US military within Indian territory.
  • Under this agreement, RDEL will maintain the vessels of US Seventh Fleet involving 100 vessels operating in the Indian Ocean.
  • The signing of a MSRA agreement is a follow-up to the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) signed between India and US in August 2016.
  • These vessels will be serviced and repaired from the RDEL owned private shipyard in Pipavav in Gujarat.
DEATHS
Legend in Japan's comic art of manga Jiro Taniguchi passes away:
  • Legend in Japan's comic art of manga Jiro Taniguchi (69-year) passed away.
  • Taniguchi achieved an international following with works such as The Walking Man, The Summit of the Gods and The Magic Mountain, hailed for exquisite line drawing and intricately-constructed landscapes.
  • He was especially popular in France, one of the biggest markets for graphic art.
Eminent journalist and Laughter Persona Pandit Dharmsheel Chaturvedi Dies
  • The eminent thinker, writer and journalist Pandit Dharmsheel Chaturvedi passed away.
  • The Hindi Kavi Pt. Dharmsheel Chaturvedi was considered ‘Swayam Mein Benaras’ means ‘Banaras in Himslef’ in elite circle.
IMPORTANT DAYS OBSERVED
February 12: National Productivity Day
  • The National Productivity Day is observed every year on February 12. Besides, February 12-18 is observed as National Productivity week throughout the country.
  • The main observance of day is organised by National Productivity Council (NPC) for encouraging all stakeholders in implementation of productivity tools and techniques with contemporary relevant themes. 
  • 2017 Theme of National Productivity Week: “From Waste to Profits-through Reduce, Recycle and Reuse”.
13 February: World Radio Day
  • World Radio Day was celebrated across the world on 13 February 2017. The day is observed every year to celebrate radio as the medium of entertainment, the mode of communication and information.
  • Themed ‘Radio is You’, this year the day calls for a greater participation of both the audiences and communities in the policy and planning of radio broadcasting.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
India to host counter-radicalisation conference with ASEAN
  • India is planning to host a conference on counter-radicalisation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in October 2017.
  • It will provide common platform to countries for sharing experiences and ideas on prevention of radicalisation amid rise of Islamic State and other extremist ideologies.
  • It will mainly deal with the growing IS threat and make effort to counter radicalisation and misuse of religion by groups and countries for inciting hatred and terrorism India will also share its experience and also benefit from that of ASEAN countries, especially Malaysia.
Frank-Walter Steinmeier elected President of Germany
  • Frank-Walter Steinmeier was elected as the new President of Germany on 12 February 2017 by a special Parliamentary assembly. He became the 12th person to hold the post in the post-war era.
  • The special assembly comprised 630 federal Members of Parliament and an equal number of representatives from Germany’s 16 Federal states.
Tehmina Janjua becomes Pak's first woman foreign secretary
  • Career diplomat Tehmina Janjua was today appointed as Pakistan's first woman foreign secretary.
  • Tehmina Janjua will assume the post of Foreign Secretary in the first week of March 2017
  • Earlier local media reports had named Pakistan high commissioner to India Abdul Basit as the front-runner for the coveted post.
  • She was presently serving as Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva.
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
National productivity week celebrations to begin from 12th February:
  • Every year 12th to 18th of February is celebrated as the National Productivity Week. 
  • This year the theme of week is 'From Waste to Profits-through Reduce, Recycle and Reuse.'
  • National Productivity Council, an autonomous body under Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion was established on 12th February in 1958. 
  • The objective of Council is to stimulate and promote productivity and quality consciousness across all sectors in the country. 
Government to come out with 2nd PSB recapitalisation plan Indradhanush 2.0
  • The Union Government is planning to come out with ‘Indradhanush 2.0’, a comprehensive plan for recapitalisation of public sector lenders.
  • Indradhanush 2.0 will be finalised by Reserve Bank of India (RBI) after completion of Asset Quality Review (AQR) which is likely to be completed by end of March 2017.
  • It aims to clean up the balance sheets of PSBs to ensure banks remain solvent and fully comply with global capital adequacy norms, Basel-III.
Minority Affairs Minister Abbas Naqvi Inaugurates Second Edition of “Hunar Haat” in New Delhi
  • The second edition of the Hunar Haat was inaugurated by the Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs (Independent Charge) and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Mukhtar AbbasNaqvi at State Emporia Complex, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Connaught Place in New Delhi.
  • The theme of the 2nd Hunar Haat is Craft Aur Cuisine Ka Sangam. The festival will take place from February 11-February 26, 2017.
Single Entrance Test for Engineering and Architecture across India from 2018
  • The Ministry of Human Resource Development on February 10, 2017 said that from 2018 there would be a single entrance examination for admission in all engineering and architecture colleges for undergraduate courses.
  • The aim is to make the admission process more transparent and put a stop on heavy capitation fee levied on students.  At present, many states conduct their own engineering examination or admissions are done on the basis of Class 12 marks.
  • The government has also directed All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) to issue suitable regulations under the AICTE Act for this.
Second edition of International Spice Conference Begins at Thiruvananthapuram:
  • The second edition of the International Spice Conference began atKovalam in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala from February 12, 2017.
  • The three days conference has been hosted by All India Spices Exporters Forum (AISEF) in association with the Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industry. 
  • The conference was inaugurated by the Nestle India Limited Chairman and Managing director Suresh Narayanan. 
  • The theme of the conference is '21st Century Spic Industry-Disrupt or be Disrupted'. 
  • The main aim of the event is to deliberate on effective strategies and innovative technologies to improve the livelihood of spice farmers, address spice industry challenges, food safety concern, demand supply disparity and foster sustainable growth.
Union Minister launches new service to provide employment to unemployed youth in rural areas
  • Bandaru Dattatreya, the Union Labour and Employment Minister launched the National Career Service (NCS) and JeevanPraman facility to the EPFO pensioners on 12 February 2017 through Post Offices in DakSadan, Hyderabad.
  • With the launch, India Post that has a large postal network comprising around 155000 post offices will now be doubling up as employment registration centres for the unemployed youth living in the rural areas through the NCS portal.
MRPL launches skill development centre
  • Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) launched a skill development centre (Kaushal Vikas Kendra) in Mangaluru.
  • Speaking at the alunch programme, H Kumar, Managing Director of MRPL, said the centre will train 60 youths in areas such as ‘industrial electrician’ and ‘CNC operator-turning’.
  • He said that all expenses, including food, lodging, tutorial expenses, will be borne by MRPL Kaushal Vikas Kendra.
  • Kumar also said that MRPL has got the approval to launch a start-up fund of ₹10 crore, which will be used to support the new ventures and start-ups.
Karnataka passed Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Karnataka Amendment) Bill, 2017
  • Legislative Assembly of Karnataka on 13 February 2017 passed the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Karnataka Amendment) Bill, 2017. The bill seeks to amend the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, in its application to Karnataka. 
  • The bill presented in the assembly by Minister for Animal Husbandry and Sericulture, A Manju was passed to facilitate the conduct of traditional buffalo race “Kambala” and bullock cart races in South Kanara and Udupi districts.
FSSAI sets up panel to finalise laws on food fortification
  • Food regulator FSSAI has set up a scientific panel to frame final regulations on fortification of foods and prepare strategies to address malnutrition problem.
  • The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has already issued the draft guidelines on fortification for five food items -- salt, milk, wheat flour, rice and edible oil -- to boost production and consumption of fortified foods.
DAE plans to develop uranium deposits in Meghalaya: Government
  • The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) has planned to develop large deposits of uranium found in Meghalaya to tap its potential to generate substantial nuclear fuel for atomic power plants in the country.
  • It was announced by Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (MoS) in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), which looks after DAE, in a written response to a question in the Lok Sabha.
GNFC Township becomes India’s first cashless Township
  • The Gujarat Narmada ValleyBSE 0.85 % Fertilizers and Chemicals (GNFC) township in Bharuch has become country's first ever "cashless township", as over 10,000 residents have embraced various digital mode of payments instead of cash.
  • Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani today inaugurated the "cashless" GNFC township and expressed confidence that other townships in the country will follow the suit.
National Career Services (NCS) and Jeevan Praman Facility for EPF Pensioners Launched in Hyderabad Post Office
  • The Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment Bandaru Dattatreya launched the National Career Service (NCS) for youths and Jeevan Praman facility to EPFO pensioners through Post Offices at DakSadan in Hyderabad on February 12, 2017.
  • The Post Offices will serve as an Employment Registration Centres for Unemployed rural youth on behalf of the “National Career Service” Portal where youths can register themselves for employment in 1,55,000 post offices established across the country for over 3000 occupations offered under 52 sectors in NCS
  •  It would build a bridge between the net connected urban areas and non connected rural areas and help the youth to avail facility to register for employment at their doorstep hassle-free and have access to a rich repository of career content.
  • The centre aims to provide employment to five crore people over next five years.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AFFAIRS
US, Japan successfully intercept missile in space:
  • The US and Japanese military have successfully tested the StandardMissile-3 (SM-3) Block IIA missile defence system by intercepting a medium-range ballistic missile target in space for the first time.
  • The missile was launched from a ship off the west coast of Hawaii, US. 
  • The US Missile Defence Agency said that the defence system met each of its primary objectives.
INS Sarvekshak becomes India’s first ship to go green:
  • Indian Navy’s survey vessel INS Sarvekshak, based at the Southern Naval Command in Kochi became the first naval ship to go green by installing a solar power system on board. 
  • It has innovatively deployed the zero-maintenance solar power system, capable of generating 5.4KW electricity and replacing the ship’s traditional 4.4KW emergency diesel alternator.  
  • The solar power generating system has been installed by customising and installing ‘razor-thin, flexible’ solar panels on the canopy of its telescopic (retractable) helicopter deck.
SPORTS AFFAIRS
India win T20 Blind World Cup:
  • India beat Pakistan by 9-wickets to win T20 Blind World Cup at Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium. 
  • Successfully defending their title in the T20 Blind World Cup, India achieved the victory target of 198-runs in the 18th over in the final of the tournament.
  • Prakash Jayaramaiah became Man-of-the-match for unbeaten 99 runs. Man-of-the-series Badar Munir was the top-scorer for Pakistan.
NBA & Take Two to Launch NBA 2K E-League
  • The National Basketball Association (NBA), an American professional basketball league is creating a brand new e-sports league called NBA 2K e-League in partnership with Take-Two Interactive Software Inc., the developers of the popular NBA 2K video games.
  • This is the first time that a professional sports organization will operate an e-sports league. The competitive gaming league will be launched in 2018.
Ravichandran Ashwin Becomes Fastest Bowler To Claim 250 Wickets
  • Indian off-spin specialist Ravichandran Ashwin became the fastest cricketer to take 250 wickets in Test matches.
  • He achieved this feat in his 45th test match against Bangladesh on 12 February 2017, when he dismissed captain of Bangladesh team Mushfiqur Rahim at the Rajiv Gandhi International stadium in Hyderabad.
  • Ashwin surpassed Australian fast bowler Dennis Keith Lillee, who played 48 matches to reach the milestone of 250 Test wicket.