Current Affairs - February 9, 2018 Current Affairs

Union Minister of State (IC) for Power and New & Renewable Energy, Shri R.K Singh, launched a Web-based monitoring System and a Fly Ash mobile application named ASH TRACK. These platforms will enable better management of the ash produced by thermal power plants by providing an interface between fly ash producers (Thermal Power Plants) and potential ash users such as - road contractors, cement plants.

IndusInd Bank launched its new Sonic Identity - MOGO, a musical logo, as a part of branding initiatives taken by the bank. The Sonic Identity has been introduced by IndusInd Bank to build its brand image through music and sound for brand experiences and audience connection. MOGO is a short, 4 note piece of 2-3 seconds. Surrounding this there is a longer (90 second piece) called the MOGOSCAPE. The sonic identity will be used in ATMs, net banking, mobile apps, TV, radio, social media etc. It has also introduced games and contests to attract users. It has also created a microsite to highlight the importance of sonic identity.

The 6th edition of World Government Summit (WGS) 2018 will be held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) from February 11 to 13. The Indian delegation will be led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The summit acts as a knowledge exchangehub between government officials, thought leaders, policy makers and private sector leaders, and as an analysis platform for the future trends, issues and opportunities facing humanity.

India has ranked 44 out of 50 countries in the international Intellectual Property (IP) index released by the US Chambers of Commerce. As per the annual report of Global Innovation Policy Center (GIPC) of the US Chambers of Commerce, India's overall score has increased from (8.75 out of 35) last year to 30 per cent (12.03 out of 40) in the latest edition. The Index is topped by the US with 37.98 points. Second position is occupied by United Kingdom with 37.97 points and third spot by Sweden with 37.03 points. This report studies the intellectual property (IP) climate in 50 countries based on 40 indicators like patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secrets protection.

Nirmala Sitharaman, the Union Defence Minister, has constituted a 13-member advisory committee to monitor and expedite capital acquisition projects for the modernization of the armed forces. The committee will undertake an independent review and check the status of ongoing critical projects worth more than Rs 500 crore. It will also suggest measures to improve the capital acquisition process. The committee, headed by Vinay Sheel Oberoi, will have to present an initial status report on identified projects to the Defence Minister by March 31.

As per Prime Minister's Research Fellows scheme, the Union Government will give fellowships to 1,000 meritorious students of B. Tech and M. Tech every year. The fellowship amount will be Rs. 70 to 80 thousand per month. Apart from this, a research grant of Rs. two lakh will be provided to each of the fellows for a period of five years. Under the scheme, the best students, who have completed or are in the final year of B. Tech or Integrated M.Tech or M.Sc. in Science and Technology streams from IISc/IITs/NITs/IISERs/IIITs, will be offered direct admission in PhD programme in the IITs/IISc.

Bermuda has become the world's first country to legalise and then repeal same-sex marriage. The governor of the British island territory John Rankin approved a bill reversing the right of gay couples to marry, despite 2017 Supreme Court ruling that authorized same-sex marriage. It is a step towards seeking to balance opposition to same-sex marriage on the socially conservative island while complying with European court rulings that make sure same-sex couples are recognized and protected in the territory.

The South Central Railway (SCR) become the first railway zone in the country to complete 100% LED lighting at all the stations under its jurisdiction. The SCR has been on the forefront of adopting energy conservation measures. It has attained the status of becoming the first zone in the Indian Railways to complete 100% LED lighting in all the 733 stations under its jurisdiction.

SBI Card, the country's second-largest credit card issuer appointed Hardayal Prasad as new Managing Director (MD) & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company. He has replaced Vijay Jasuja. Prior to this appointment, Prasad was with State Bank of India, holding multiple leadership positions in the bank. He had joined SBI as a probationary officer in 1983.

The first ever of its kind in the country chat-based job search mobile app 'Empzilla' is being launched that will do away with existing limitations of employers and job seekers making selection process quick and cost-effective. The mobile app gets the conversation between employers and job seekers going in seconds and the latter can chat with the potential employers.

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has imposed Rs.136 crore fine on world's most popular search engine Google for unfair business practices in Indian market for online search. The penalty was imposed on Google for infringing anti-trust conduct. CCI passed the penalty order on complaints filed in 2012 by Matrimony.com and Consumer Unity & Trust Society (CUTS) in 2012. It was alleged that Google is indulging in abuse of dominant position in market for online search through practices leading to search bias and search manipulation, among others. CCI's ruling comes after similar anti-trust setbacks for Google in European Union and Russia. In 2017, in similar case EU's anti-trust arm had fined Google $2.7 billion for promoting its own products over others. Google also had settled an anti-trust matter in Russia out of court.

PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi appointed as the International Cricket Council's (ICC) first-ever independent female director. Nooyi will join the cricket body in June 2018 for a 2-year term. The introduction of an Independent Director, who must be female, was approved by the ICC in June 2017, aimed at improving the global governance of the sport.

Karnataka committee to analyse possibility of a separate flag for the state has submitted a report, suggesting an official three-coloured flag to replace an unofficial two-coloured flag currently in use. In June 2017, Karnataka's Kannada and Culture department appointed a committee to study the possibility of having a separate flag for Karnataka. The committee was headed by G S Siddaramaya, chairman of Kannada Development Authority. This committee has recommended a flag in yellow and red colour, with white colour in the middle containing the state symbol.

Haryana youngsters outclassed others by achieving the highest number of medal tally in the inaugural edition of the Khelo India School Games. The competition concluded in New Delhi. The sports powerhouse won 102 medals including 38 gold medals, 26 silver medals, 38 Bronze medals. Maharashtra (110) finished second overall while Delhi (94) came third. Punjab and Kerala won the boys' and girls' gold medals respectively in Basketball competition. On the final day, Haryana emerged with the best haul of five medals, including one gold, two silver, and two bronze medals. Haryana archers showed impressive performance and won one gold medal on the final day.

The National Informatics Centre (NIC) is organizing a three-day National Meet on Grassroot Informatics- VIVID 2018 in New Delhi from February 8, 2018. The event has be inaugurated by Electronics and Information Technology Ravi Shankar Prasad at India Habitat Centre. The theme for VIVID 2018 is - Cyber Security and Innovation. The aim of the meet is to showcase the various initiatives of NIC in creating and enhancing the security of Digital Infrastructure in the country. VIVID would be an extensive platform for knowledge sharing which would empower 240 NIC district officials from across the country to interact and leverage on each other's experience and best practices.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved to enhance target base of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) from 5 crore to 8 crores. The revised target of PMUY will be achieved by 2020 with an additional allocation of Rs. 4,800 crore. The decision comes in the wake of the huge response to PMUY from the women particularly in rural areas and to cover such households not having LPG connection. This move will address practical difficulty faced in implementation of MUY, namely, targeting genuinely poor households left out of Socio-Economic Cards.