General Awareness

NATIONAL AFFAIRS - May 2018

May 2018

Feb 19, 2024

Arunachal Is 1st Northeast State to Achieve 100% 'Har Ghar Jal' Scheme

Arunachal Pradesh achieved 100 per cent saturation in 'Har Ghar Jal' scheme under the Centre's Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), Chief Minister Pema Khandu has said.
The state became the first in the northeast and tenth in the country to achieve a cent per cent saturation under the central government sponsored scheme.
Khandu informed that the Centre's share for the scheme in the state was Rs. 3,965.41 crore, while the state contributed Rs. 455.51 crore to complete the project, ensuring every household gets clean and safe piped water.

Jharkhand CM Champai Soren Gives Go-ahead to Caste-based Survey in State

Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren gave the go-ahead for a caste-based survey in the state on the lines of neighbouring Bihar.
The CM directed the personnel department to prepare a draft (SoP for conducting the survey) and place it before the cabinet for approval.
If everything goes according to the plan, the exercise will begin after the Lok Sabha elections.

Feb 18, 2024

Sonowal Inaugurates Kalughat Inland Waterways Transport Terminal in Bihar

Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW), inaugurated the Kalughat Inland Waterways Transport Terminal and two community jetties in Bettiah, Bihar. The ceremony was graced by Vijay Kumar Sinha, Deputy Chief Minister, Bihar; Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Member of Parliament, along with key officials from both central and state governments.
Kalughat, strategically located on the north bank of the River Ganga in Bihar's Saran District, emerges as a vital nexus in the region's transportation network. With its direct access to NH-19, the terminal serves as a pivotal link for cargo movement, particularly for Nepal-bound shipments via Raxaul and the hinterland of North Bihar.

India, Colombia Sign MoU on Digital Cooperation

India and Colombia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation in the field of Sharing Successful Digital Solutions Implemented at Population Scale for Digital Transformation. The agreement aims to foster digital transformation through the sharing of India's open-sourced Digital Public Infrastructures (DPIs), particularly focusing on India Stack Solutions.
The signatories were Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Union Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, and Jal Shakti from India, and Mr. Mauricio Lizcano, Minister of Information Technologies and Communications of Colombia.
The MoU facilitates the exchange of public officials and experts to enhance cooperation in digital transformation initiatives.

Feb 17, 2024

Hindon Elevated Road Renamed 'Ram Setu'

The 10.3 km Hindon elevated road, connecting Ghaziabad's Raj Nagar Extension with UP Gate near east Delhi, will now be known as Ram Setu, the officials of the Ghaziabad municipal corporation announced, after the executive committee cleared the proposal moved by mayor Sunita Dayal to rename the elevated stretch.
The road also acts as a bypass for vehicles coming from Delhi and moving to western Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
The move to name the elevated road came on the heels of the corporation approving in January a proposal to rename Ghaziabad city with a name that is to be chosen by the state government. That proposal was moved by the Bharatiya Janata Party councillor Sanjay Singh.

DoT Launches 'Sangam: Digital Twin' Initiative for Transformative Infrastructure Planning

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) introduces the 'Sangam: Digital Twin' initiative, calling upon industry leaders, start-ups, MSMEs, academia, and innovators to join hands in reshaping infrastructure planning and design through cutting-edge technologies and collaborative efforts.
DoT's pioneering venture invites Expressions of Interest (EoI) from diverse stakeholders.
Digital Twin technology facilitates virtual replication of physical assets for real-time monitoring and analysis.
Objectives of the Initiative
Two-stage implementation in a major Indian city for creative exploration and practical demonstration
Generating a future blueprint for scalable infrastructure strategies through collaboration

Pashupati Kumar Paras Launches 'SUFALAM' for Food Entrepreneurs

Union Minister of Food Processing Pashupati Kumar Paras inaugurated 'SUFALAM: Start-Up Forum for Aspiring Leaders and Mentors Start-up Conclave 2024' at New Delhi, stressing the importance of such events in promoting networking, sharing knowledge, and aiding start-ups in accessing government schemes.
The event witnessed participation from over 250 industry stakeholders, start-ups, MSMEs, financial institutions, venture capitalists, and academia.
The two days, the event comprised four knowledge sessions, two pitching sessions, and an exhibition.
The knowledge sessions were held in collaboration with various organisations, while the pitching sessions were conducted in partnership with industry giants.
A total of 35 exhibitors from across India participated in the event.

Feb 16, 2024

Indian Actor Kamal Haasan to Contest 2024 Lok Sabha Election

Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan entered the 2024 Lok Sabha election race. Haasan, who is the president of the political party Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM), will be contesting the upcoming general election, either from Coimbatore or Chennai.
Haasan's party was allotted the symbol of 'battery torch'. According to reports, the actor's party MNM is likely to join hands with DMK and Congress and contest as part of the INDIA bloc alliance.
Haasan made his foray into the political world in 2018, and his party has been quite active in Coimbatore. In 2021, he contested the assembly election from Coimbatore South but lost to BJP's Vanathi Srinivasan by a slinder margin of 1,50 votes. In the 2019 Lok Sabha election, MNM candidate, Dr R Mahendran fought from the Coimbatore Lok Sabha seat.

Sanjay Kumar Jain Assumes Charge as IRCTC Chairman & MD

Mr. Sanjay Kumar Jain, an Indian Railway Traffic Services (IRTS) Officer of 1990 batch took over the charge of Chairman & Managing Director of Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd (IRCTC).
With a distinguished career spanning over three decades, Mr Jain brings to the table a wealth of experience and a proven track record of exemplary leadership in various key positions within the Ministry of Railways and public sector undertakings (PSUs).
His professional trajectory has been marked by significant contributions in pivotal roles such as Principal Chief Commercial Manager at Northern Railway, Group General Manager (North Zone) at IRCTC, and Divisional Railway Manager at Mumbai Central Railway, among others.

Nand Kishore Yadav New Speaker of Bihar Assembly

Veteran BJP leader Nand Kishore Yadav was elected as the Speaker of the Bihar Legislative Assembly. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and leader of opposition Tejashwi Yadav escorted the new speaker to the Chair.
Yadav, a seven-time MLA from Patna Sahib Assembly constituency had filed his nomination for the Speaker's post, a day after his predecessor, Awadh Bihari Choudhary of the RJD, was voted out in a no-confidence motion.
After Choudhary's removal from the Speaker's chair, Deputy Speaker Maheshwar Hazari of JD (U) was conducting the proceedings of the House.
Yadav started his political journey in 1978 when he became the councillor of the Patna Municipal Corporation and deputy mayor of Patna in 1982.

Feb 15, 2024

Tamil Nadu Assembly Passes Resolutions against Delimitation, 'One Nation One Election'

The legislative assembly in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu passed two resolutions, one against the proposed delimitation exercise, the other against the proposed 'One Nation One Election' system. The resolutions found overwhelming support with even Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) having to voice support.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin termed the delimitation exercise a 'punishment' for states with smaller population.
The One Nation One Election is out-and-out impractical, and it is against the basic feature of the Constitution. It is fully opposed to the Constitutional guarantee of independent, free and fair polls, said CM Stalin.

Assam Designates Kaji Nemu as the Official State Fruit

Assam, the state government officially declared kaji nemu (Citrus limon), a variety of lemon unique to the region, as the 'State Fruit'. The announcement was made by State Agriculture Minister Atul Bora, following a Cabinet meeting, underscoring the fruit's cultural, traditional, and nutritional significance to the state and its people.
The decision to declare kaji nemu as the State Fruit comes as a strategic move to spotlight this agricultural jewel on the global stage. Assam has a dedicated community of farmers specialising in the cultivation of kaji nemu, with its demand steadily rising, especially in West Asian markets. The fruit's ability to be produced throughout the year, peaking in two seasons, adds to its appeal and potential for boosting local economy and self-dependency in agricultural production.
The declaration of kaji nemu as the State Fruit is part of Assam's tradition of recognising its natural heritage through state symbols. In February 2016, the Assam government declared the one-horned rhino as the State Animal, the white-winged wood duck as the State Bird, the hollong as the State Tree, and the foxtail orchid as the State Flower. These symbols play a crucial role in conservation efforts and in raising awareness about the state's rich biodiversity.

'Watan Ko Jano' Programme

250 specially abled children of Jammu and Kashmir visited Delhi and Agra under 'Watan Ko Jano Programme organised by Social Welfare Department of the Government of Jammu & Kashmir in coordination with Ministry of Home Affairs.
Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Government of Jammu and Kashmir have been conducting Youth Exchange programme with the objective to give an exposure of the social and cultural diversity of our country to the youth and children of Jammu and Kashmir.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and guidance of Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, MHA is committed to such initiatives for development and progress of the youth and children of Jammu & Kashmir.
Under the initiative of Watan Ko Jano, children of terrorism affected families and/or weaker sections of society in Jammu and Kashmir identified by Jammu and Kashmir Rehabilitation Council are taken for exposure trip.

Share on

TCY Analytics (View Subscription Plans)

Subscribe to GK Updates

I want to receive

GK Tags

July GK, June GK, May GK, INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS, ENVIRONMENT, BUSINESS AND ECONOMY, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, SPORTS, NATIONAL AFFAIRS, DEFENCE, PERSONS IN NEWS, DAYS AND EVENTS, AWARDS AND HONOURS, GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES, GENDER/ HEALTH/ EDUCATION, ART AND CULTURE, BOOKS AND AUTHORS, TOURISM AND HOTEL INDUSTRY AWARENESS, ART AND CULTURE, LAW AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Start Discussion

On any topic

Take Tests

Compiled from GK updates

Login

Sign Up

Forgot Password

Download TCY App

Unlock All Services And Enjoy The Premium Benefits

US$ 10

US$ 13

US$ 15

US$ 17

US$ 19

US$ 20

US$ 21

US$ 22

US$ 23

US$ 24

US$ 25

US$ 26