Current affairs : March 2nd, 2017 for all competitive exams
Union Minister
for Chemicals & Fertilizers and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Ananthkumar
recently presented the 7th National Awards for Technology Innovation in
Petrochemicals and Downstream Plastics Processing Industry (2016-17).
- For
the 7th National Awards, 415 nominations were received and finally, 16
nominations have been selected as Winners and 7 nominations as Runners-up
for 2016-17.
Successful
Test Firing of AAD Endo-Atmospheric Interceptor Missile
DRDO recently
conducted the successful launch of the interceptor missile Advanced Area
Defence (AAD) from Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha.
- The
AAD is part of the two-layered Ballistic Missile Defence system developed
by the DRDO, the research and development wing of the Defence Ministry,
with the Hyderabad-based Research Centre Imaarat (RCI).
- The endo-atmospheric missile is capable of intercepting incoming targets at an altitude of 15 to 25 km.
Government
Panel recommends legal framework for protection of interests of migrants in the
country
The ‘Working
Group on Migration’ set by the Ministry of Housing & Urban Poverty
Alleviationin 2015 has submitted its Report to the Government.
- The
Panel has recommended necessary legal and policy framework to protect the
interests of the migrants in the country, stating that the migrant
population makes substantial contribution to economic growth and their
Constitutional rights need to be secured.
Projects
worth Rs 1050 Crore Awarded to arrest sewage pollution in Ganga from Patna
In a major
step taken to develop adequate sewage treatment infrastructure in Patna to keep
Ganga clean, projects worth Rs 1,050 crore have been awarded under Namami Gange
programme.
- The
amount will be spent for setting up two two Sewage Treatment Plants
(STPs), renovation of one existing STP, construction of two pumping
stations and laying of new underground sewage network of about 400
kilometers.
Google
Street View helps manage urban ecosystem
Scientists
have concluded that Google Street View helps manage urban ecosystem.
Scientists
have used over 100,000 images extracted from Google Street View to map and
quantify how street trees regulate urban ecosystems in megacities.
- While
it was generally accepted that trees and plants helped in regulating urban
ecosystems, until now researchers had very little data to quantify its
extent.
Keeping
over 10 old notes to attract fine
The Specified
Bank Notes (Cessation of Liabilities) Act, 2017 has received President Pranab
Mukherjee’s approval. The government has also notified this law making it a
criminal offence to possess more than a certain number of the old Rs. 500 and
Rs. 1,000 notes.
- Now,
possessing more than 10 pieces of old notes by individuals and more than
25 pieces for study, research or numismatics purposes would attract a fine
of Rs. 10,000 or five times the value of the cash held, whichever is
higher.
DMRL
and JSHL Sign Licensing Agreement for Transfer of Technology of High Nitrogen
Steel
Defence
Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL), Hyderabad, a premier research
laboratory of Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and Jindal
Stainless (Hisar) Limited (JSHL) have signed the Licensing Agreement for
Transfer of Technology of High Nitrogen Steel (HNS) for armour applications.
- High
nitrogen steels (HNS) are a new class of high alloy martensitic,
austenitic or duplex grades with up to 0.9 mass% of N in solid
solution.
- They
are applied e.g. to stainless tools and bearings, in chemical engineering
and for high strength non-magnetic components.
Aleppo
report accuses all sides of brutal war crimes
A UN-established commission has issued a damning report on human rights violations in Syria’s
war-ravaged Aleppo, accusing both sides to the conflict of committing war
crimes.
- The
commission gathered evidence to confirm witness accounts that the Syrian
and Russian governments used prohibited cluster munitions on civilians in
rebel-held eastern Aleppo, suggesting the deliberate destruction of
hospitals with repeated airstrikes, among other rights violations.
Panneerselvam inaugurates 'Amma Kalviyagam'
Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam
launched a portal which will be a hub of learning, interaction, opportunity,
and connection.
- The 'ammakalviyagam.in', named after late chief minister Jayalalithaa,
was launched by Panneerselvam as part of her 69th birth anniversary
celebrations. Jayalalithaa is fondly addressed as 'Amma' (Mother) by her
supporters.
- It
is a platform for learners, experts, academic and industry professionals,
and recruiters to meet, gain and provide skills, and discover and hone
talent.
Regional
conference on enhancing steel consumption in India:
Maiden
regional conference of Eastern States on enhancing steel consumption in India
will be held in Gangtok, Sikkim.
- The
theme is ‘Enhancing steel consumption in India’.
- This
will be first of the four regional conferences being planned across India.
India’s
WTO ambassador:
S. Deepak has
been appointed as country’s permanent representative to World Trade
Organization (WTO).
- The
appointment order has been issued by the Appointments Committee of the
Cabinet (ACC) headed by the Prime Minister.
Ajay Tyagi takes charge as 9th SEBI chief
IAS officer Ajay Tyagi is taking charge as the
chairman of Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on 2 March
2017.
- He
has replaced Mr. U.K Sinha. Mr. Tyagi needs to immediately take a
call on five key issues.
Kohli nominated for Polly Umrigar award, Ashwin for
Dilip Sardesai award
India captain Virat Kohli was nominated for the
prestigious Polly Umrigar award while all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin named for
the Dilip Sardesai award.The awards will be presented at the BCCI Annual Awards
to be held in Bengaluru on 8th March, 2017.
- Kohli
becomes the first Indian cricketer to get Polly Umrigar award on the third
occasion after 2011-12
and 2014-15 season.
- Ashwin will also become the first cricketer to receive the 'Dilip Sardesai Award' twice. The award is given to honor the best performance in the bilateral Test series between India and West Indies.
