Focus Merit

Category: All Current Affairs

President lays foundation stone of Super Specialty Hospital in Lakshwadeep

January 8, 2020

President Ram Nath Kovind laid foundation stone to Lakshadweep’s first Super Specialty Hospital at Kavaratti. On his two days visit to the union territory, President Kovind assured special focus for the development of Lakshadweep and directed Lakshadweep Administrator to give special attention for the completion of Super Specialty Hospital.

President received guard of honour from a joint group of 160 different forces. At the event in Kavaratti, President congratulated Rahmath Begum, the only woman who won Padmashri from Lakshadweep.

RBI allows to offer 24×7 rupee trading via select banks

January 8, 2020

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has enabled select banks in India to offer round-the-clock (24×7) trading in the Indian rupee to allow Indians to safeguard their foreign exchange (Forex) risks at any time. The select banks in India offered Indian customers foreign exchange rates only in inter-bank market hours from 9 am – 5 pm. This decision will also make the offshore currency markets in countries like Dubai & Singapore less attractive for Indian investors.

Vikram Sarabhai Children Innovation Center to be set up in Gujarat

January 8, 2020

The Vikram Sarabhai Children Innovation Center (VSCIC) will be set up in Gujarat. The VSCIC will identify, nurture and promote innovative abilities of children in the state. The above announcement was made during the Children’s Innovation Festival (CIF) taking place in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

Only School-going children up to 18 years old were allowed to participate in the Children’s Innovation Festival (CIF). The CIF is being organized by Gujarat University Start-ups and Entrepreneurship Council (GUSEC). GUSEC is an incubation centre created by Gujarat University in collaboration with UNICEF.

Ahmedabad: 31st International Kite Festival begins

January 8, 2020

The 31st International Kite Festival has been launched at Sabarmati river front in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Ahmedabad is hosting this festival since 1989. A large number of kite artists from across the world are participating in the festival to exhibit their skills. The festival is also taking place at nine other places across the state including Statue of Unity-Kevadiya, Surat and Vadodara.

4th ‘Buxa Bird Festival’ begins in West Bengal

January 8, 2020

The 4th edition of ‘Buxa Bird Festival’ has started in Buxa National Park in West Bengal’s, district Alipurduar. More than 50 birdwatchers from pan India and abroad have registered in the festival. Over 300 rare species including the Sultan Tit, Greater Spotted Eagle and Great Hornbill visit the national park during this festival.

1st ‘Maha-Navy Connect 2020’ started by Indian Navy in Mumbai

January 8, 2020

Indian Navy starts its 1st Maha-Navy Connect 2020 Tri-Dimensional Expedition started from Mumbai, Maharashtra. The aim of the expedition is to promote the maritime heritage of India and spread awareness about Coastal Security amongst the coastal communities in Maharashtra.

The tri-dimensional expedition consisting of yachting, running and cycling teams of 50 naval personnel. This expedition will cover more than 555kms from Maharashtra’s northernmost fort Arnala to its southernmost Sindhudurg fort.

Axis Bank and ICICI Bank to end their operations in Sri Lanka

January 8, 2020

The two Indian private sector lenders Axis Bank and ICICI Bank to close their operations in Sri Lanka after the Central Bank of Sri Lanka has permitted. The licenses issued by Central Bank of Sri Lanka will be cancelled once the winding-up operations are complete. The two banks are no longer to carry their banking operations, including accepting deposits from the public in Sri Lanka.

NSO projects India’s GDP growth rate for 2019-20 at 5%

January 8, 2020

National Statistical Office (NSO) projects India’s GDP growth rate for 2019-20 at 5%. The decline has been mainly on account of deceleration in manufacturing sector growth, which is expected to come down to 2 per cent in 2019-20 from 6.2 per cent in the year-ago fiscal. The deceleration was also witnessed in sectors like agriculture, construction and electricity, gas and water supply.

India-Oman will conduct bilateral naval exercise ‘Naseem Al Bahr’

January 8, 2020

India and Oman will conduct 12th edition of bilateral maritime exercise ‘Naseem Al Bahr’ in Mormugao Port, Goa. ‘Naseem-Al-Bahr’ (or sea breeze) is a naval exercise between the Indian Navy and the RNO, being conducted since 1993. Indian Navy ships Beas and Subhadra and Oman Navy ships RNOV Al Rasikh and RNOV Khassab are participating in this exercise.

‘Karmayoddha Granth’ a book on the life of PM Modi launched

January 8, 2020

Union Home Minister, Amit Shah released a book ‘Karmayoddha Granth’ on the life of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A ‘Karmayoddha’ is a man with a beating heart for people, a statesman, a hard taskmaster, an able administrator and an ideal leader who leads by example. All these qualities have been personified by Narendra Modi.