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New Delhi: NSE Knowledge Hub inaugurated by Piyush Goyal

The Union Minister of Commerce and Industries, Piyush Goyal inaugurated the National Stock Exchange (NSE) Knowledge Hub in New Delhi. The National Stock Exchange (NSE) Knowledge Hub is an Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered learning ecosystem that will assist the banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) sector.

It is also available on mobile and attempts to bring together world-class content and learners through this state- of- the- art and future-ready platform. This industry-driven learning eco-system will help India in building next-generation skills and capabilities in the BFSI sector.

P Magesh Chandran wins 95th Hastings International Chess title

India’s P Magesh Chandran wins the title in the 95th edition of the prestigious Hastings International Chess Congress at Hastings in England. France’s Romain Edouard, who was the only player to end the tournament a half-point behind Chandran, took the second spot.

Bhubaneswar: 1st edition of Khelo India University Games

The 1st edition of Khelo India University Games is scheduled to be held at the KIIT University in Bhubaneswar, Odisha from February 22 to March 1, 2020. Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik unveiled the logo and jersey of Khelo India University Games.

Khelo India University Games will witness over 4,000 athletes from 100 Universities across India vying for top honours in 17 different disciplines namely archery, athletics, boxing, fencing, judo, swimming, weight-lifting, wrestling, badminton, basketball, football, hockey, table tennis, tennis, volleyball, rugby and kabaddi.

India-Russia to sign MoUs on AK-203 assault rifles

The Indian Army and Russia is to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the procurement of over 7.5 lakh AK-203 assault rifles. The rifles will be manufactured by the Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) at Korwa in Uttar Pradesh.

The facility is being set up between the Ordnance Factories Board (OFB) from the Indian side, and Rosoboron Exports and Kalashnikov on the Russian side. The OFB owns 50.5% equity and Russian side holds the remaining 49.5%. The Army has been looking to replace the indigenous INSAS (Indian National Small Arms System) rifles in use with a modern rifle.

Leo Carter becomes 7th cricketer to hit six 6s in an over

New Zealand‘s batsman Leo Carter has become the seventh batsman in the history of cricket to smash six 6s in an over. He achieved the feat in New Zealand’s domestic T20 tournament Super Smash. Representing Canterbury, he smashed Knight’s bowler Anton Devcich for six 6s in the 16th over of the innings.

Other 6 players who have achieved the feat are: Gary Sobers (West Indies), Ravi Shastri (India), Herschelle Gibbs (South Africa), Yuvraj Singh (India), Ross Whiteley (England) and Hazratullah Zazai (Afghanistan). Yuvraj is the only batsman to have scored six 6s in an international T20I.

“US Space Force” officially launched

United States President Donald Trump has signed the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act. With the signing of the act, US has authorised the establishment of US Space Force. The US Space Force will become the 6th branch of the armed forces. 

The Space Force would become the youngest US military branch, and the first new service since the establishment of the US Air Force back in 1947. It would be a part of the Department of the Air Force and will be funded by an initial $40m for its first year. It will be led by Air Force General Jay Raymond.

ISRO’s astronaut training hub in Challakere, Karnataka

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has proposed Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) at Challakere in Chitradurga district of Karnataka. The facility is expected to become operational in 3 years.

ISRO aims to establish a self-contained training facility here. At present, astronauts part of Gaganyaan Mission, the Human Spaceflight Programme of ISRO are trained in Russia. The centre aims at bringing in all the features that are provided by Russia and begin training astronauts within the country.

Maharashtra: Journalists’ Day celebrated on 6th January

Journalists’ Day is being celebrated on 6th of January every year in the state of Maharashtra. The day is celebrated in the memory of late thespian journalist Balshashtri Jambhekar. Balshastri Jambhekar, is also known as ‘The Father of Marathi Journalism’, for his efforts in starting journalism in Marathi language.

2020 to be observed as ‘year of mobility’ by CISF

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) will observe 2020 as the ‘year of mobility’ that will have a special focus on the creation of more residential units and implementation of various welfare measures for the troops. In the year 2020, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) will aim at creating an infrastructure for their families and also focusing on sports and physical fitness leveraging modern gadgetry.

It is essential to equip the forces with modern instruments as the force plays a major role in the security system of the country. They guard civil airports, nuclear power stations, mines, thermal power stations in the private domain as well.

Uber and Hyundai ties up to develop electric air taxis

Uber Technologies Inc and automaker Hyundai Motor have teamed up to develop electric air taxis. The partnership aims to make small self-flying cars to ease urban congestion. The team is heading towards a goal of launching Uber Air by 2023 and urban air mobility service in 2028.

Hyundai is the first carmaker to join Uber’s air taxi project. Hyundai will produce and deploy the vehicles while Uber will provide aerial ride-share services. Uber has partnered with eight companies for its air taxi project.

Kochi to host Global Investors Meet: ASCEND 2020

Kochi, Kerala will host the Global Investors MeetASCEND 2020. ASCEND 2020 will showcase 18 mega projects with over Rs 100 crore investment each and offering direct employment to over 9,000 people. The meet will be organised by the Industries Department. The Invest Kerala Portal: “invest.kerala.gov.in” will also be showcased at the meet. Invest Kerala Portal is a single-window facilitator for hassle-free investment promotion launched under its ease of doing business initiative.

The projects include: Kochi-to-Palakkad integrated manufacturing cluster, an electronic hardware park in Ernakulam district, integrated solid-waste management systems in Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur and Malappuram, a medium density fibreboard plant in Perumbavoor and a defence park at Ottappalam, and many other projects.

RBI approves Shivalik Mercantile Cooperative Bank Ltd to become SFB

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has granted “in-principle” approval to Shivalik Mercantile Co-operative Bank Limited for transition into a Small Finance Bank (SFB). The transition into a SFB will be under the “Scheme on voluntary transition of Urban Co-operative Bank into a Small Finance Bank” issued on September 27, 2018.

The “in-principle” approval granted will be valid for 18 months to enable the applicant to comply with the requirements under the Scheme, the Guidelines for ‘on tap’ Licensing of Small Finance Banks in the Private Sector and fulfil other conditions as stipulated by the RBI. On being satisfied that the applicant has complied with the requisite conditions laid down by RBI as part of “in-principle” approval, the RBI would consider granting it a licence for commencement of banking business under Section 22 (1) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 as a SFB.

UAE Cabinet approves 5-Year multi-entry tourist visa

The UAE Cabinet has approved the issuance of a five-year multi-entry tourist visa for all nationalities visiting the country. The decision was made during the Cabinet’s first meeting of 2020. The move comes in a bid to support the UAE’s tourism economy, and affirm the country’s position as a global tourist destination.

The country receives 21 million tourists annually and their aim is to establish the country as a major global tourist destination. The decision is also likely to benefit the near and dear ones of the lakhs of expat population staying in UAE.

Navigation facilities for visually impaired inaugurated in Chandigarh railway station

Navigation facilities for visually impaired were inaugurated at Chandigarh railway station in Punjab. This facility has been introduced by the Indian Railway Stations Development Corporation through NGO ‘Anuprayaas’. Chandigarh is fifth Railway station in the country and first in North India to have this facility.

This step will help visually impaired passengers to know about the passenger amenities at the Chandigarh Railway Station. In addition to Braille Tactile Map, signages are also installed for all the facilities and offices in the premise like Enquiry, Station Manager, waiting rooms, lifts, and toilets etc.

Visually impaired people can identify these facilities independently. With this, the common challenges faced by the visually impaired people at railway stations like missing trains because of wrong guidance will be minimized and they will be empowered to travel independently.

Himachal MyGov portal launched in Shimla

The Himachal Pradesh Government has launched Himachal MyGov portal in Shimla with a view to strengthen public participation in the governance process. With this, Himachal Pradesh has become the 11th state in the country to have this facility.

MyGov is an innovative platform to build a partnership between citizens and government with the help of technology for growth and development of India. On this portal, the general public can also give their valuable suggestions for making the policies and programs more effective and result oriented.

Chief Minister Thakur also launched CM App on the occasion. Through this App, people of the state would be able to write directly to the Chief Minister regarding their grievances.

West Bengal Govt to provide insurance coverage to Ganga Sagar pilgrims

The West Bengal Government will provide insurance coverage of five lakh rupees each to the Ganga Sagar pilgrims. The administration has done necessary arrangements for drinking water supply and accommodation facilities for the devotees.

Thousands of pilgrims assemble at Sagar Island to take a holy dip at the confluence of the Hooghly River and the Bay of Bengal on the occasion of Makar Sankranti and offer Pooja at the Kapil Muni temple. 

IRDA introduces a standard health cover policy ‘Arogya Sanjeevani’

The ‘Arogya Sanjeevani’ policy is a first of its kind standard health insurance product. As per the guidelines issued by the IRDAI, every general and standalone health insurer should offer a standard health product, the Arogya Sanjeevani Policy, with a minimum sum insured of Rs 1 lakh, with a upper limit of Rs 5 lakh. The policy term will be for one year. The minimum entry age will be 18 years with lifelong renewability and there is no exit age.

The policy covers 22 diseases and treatments with a varying waiting period of from 24 to 48 months. It will be offered on indemnity basis, and should not be combined with critical illness covers or benefit-based covers. The premium under this product will be the same across India, and no geographic location and pricing will be allowed. The insurers will now come up with product filing to the regulator and will have to offer it from April 1, 2020.

Wipro partners up with HAL to make 3D-printed aircraft parts

Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) and Wipro 3D, the metal additive manufacturing business of Wipro Infrastructure Engineering, have partnered to develop 3D-printed components that could potentially be used on aircraft manufactured by state-run HAL. Wipro 3D is the first Indian company to locally develop an industry-grade metal-additive 3D-printing machine, jointly with the Indian Institution of Science.

As part of the memorandum of understanding, HAL and Wipro 3D will jointly design, develop, prove out, manufacture and repair aerospace components using metal 3D printing technology. This initiative between HAL and Wipro 3D will create a unique synergy of capabilities that can accelerate the adoption of metal additive manufacturing in aerospace in India. Metal 3D printing has the potential to play a significant role in the success of national aerospace and defence platforms including HAL’s own needs. Globally, the aerospace industry has been one of the foremost adopters of metal 3D printing.

Indian Bank signs MoU with Women Entrepreneurs Welfare Association

The Indian bank has signed a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) with Women Entrepreneurs Welfare Association (WEWA) of Tamil Nadu(TN) to provide training and credit linkage to its women entrepreneurs to establish business.

The Indian bank will provide loans to the WEWA members at discounted rates. Training will be given to the WEWA members in the INDSETIs (Indian Bank Self Employment Training Institutes).

PayPal unveils Adoption Assistance Programme

Digital payments player PayPal has unveiled a new adoption assistance programme aimed at enhancing the parental support benefits for employees. The new policy will offer financial support of upto Rs one lakh per adoption for adoptive parents. This covers reimbursement of adoption expenses such as CARA registration, child placement, foster care and establishment of legal guardianship.

PayPal stated that it offers paid adoption leave of 16 weeks for female employees and paternity leave of two weeks. The move is a part of the company’s endeavour to ensure a work-life balance for employees keeping in mind the evolving family dynamics and work culture

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