Daily G.K. Buzz - 29th & 30th March 2015

Nation

India to build two next-generation AWACS for Rs 5,113 crore

i. The government on Saturday cleared the DRDO project to build advanced "eyes in the sky" or next-generation AWACS (airborne warning and control systems), which can detect incoming aerial threats like hostile fighters, drones and cruise missiles from 400-km away. 

ii. The Manohar Parrikar-led defence acquisitions council (DAC) approved the building of two AWACS, which will involve mounting indigenous 360-degree coverage AESA (active electronically scanned array) radars on Airbus A-330 wide-body jets, at a cost of Rs 5,113 crore. 

DU sets up weather station on Delhi School of Economics' terrace

i. Finding the data provided by Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) inadequate for studying the national capital's "micro-climate", Delhi University has set up its own weather station for more accurate and detailed weather updates.
ii. The varsity has also claimed that the weather station, which will record temperature, humidity, wind speed, rainfall and pressure, just like any other monitoring station, is the first-of-its-kind to be established by any educational institution in India.

Reliance Power’s Sasan UMPP fully operational

i. Anil Ambani controlled Reliance Power Ltd has announced the commissioning of the sixth and last 660 MW unit of the 3,960 MW Sasan Ultra Mega Power Project (UMPP).

ii. The Sasan UMPP is the largest integrated power plant cum coal mining project at a single location involving investment of over Rs. 27,000 crore.
iii. With this unit, Reliance Power’s generation capacity has increased to 5,945 MW which includes 5,760 MW of thermal and 185 MW of renewable energy based capacity.

BHEL bags contract from Telangana power utility

i. State-owned power equipment maker BHEL on Monday said it has bagged over Rs 5,000 crore contract for executing a thermal power project in Telangana.

ii. Telangana State Power Generation Corporation (TSGENCO) has awarded Bhel with an EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) order for setting up a 1,080 MW thermal power plant in the state

International

Former Israeli PM Ehud Olmert found guilty of graft

i. Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was found guilty on Monday of fraud and breach of trust in a retrial on corruption charges, three years after being acquitted.

ii. Olmert was acquitted in 2012 of a series of charges that included accepting cash-stuffed envelopes from U.S. businessman Morris Talansky when Olmert was mayor of Jerusalem and a cabinet minister before he became Prime Minister. The verdict was seen as a major victory for Olmert.

Russia, Australia, Netherlands to join AIIB

i. Top European countries, including Germany, France, Britain, and now Russia along with Australia to join the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), has imparted a new sense of realism to Beijing’s Silk Road plans.

ii. On Saturday, Russia, Australia and the Netherlands, announced its decision to join the China-led AIIB. The decision of key European powers along with South Korea to join the bank, overriding strong objections from the United States, has split the Atlantic Alliance on this issue.

Economy

RBI tightens corporate group exposure limits

i. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is set to introduce new individual and corporate exposure limits that will tighten bank exposure to company promoters and their groups. 

ii. Currently, Indian banks can lend up to 15 per cent of their capital funds to an individual and 40 per cent.

Corporation Bank, LIC ink MoU for implemention PM Jeevan Jyoti scheme

i. Under PMJJBY, Corporation Bank’s Aadhar-linked savings account holders will be eligible for life insurance up to ₹2 lakh for a premium of ₹330 (plus service tax) per annum.

ii. a master policy under ‘Group Insurance Scheme’, which is voluntary for the customers, will be issued by LIC. The eligible age of the customer shall be between 18 years and 50 years. Enrolment period will be from first June to August 31 2015 or as extended by the Govt

iii. SK Roy, Chairman of LIC of India, and SR Bansal, Chairman and Managing Director of Corporation Bank, attended the programme in Mangaluru

Awards

Madan Mohan Malaviya posthumously awarded Bharat Ratna

i. Freedom fighter and educationist, Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya on 30 March 2015 was conferred the highest civilian award of the country Bharat Ratna (posthumous)

ii. Pandit Malaviya was born on 25 December 1861 in Allahabad. He studied at Calcutta University and became a school teacher. Later he also practiced as a lawyer and even a newspaper editor. He was the founder of Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and Hindu Mahasabha.

Aditi Arya won the fbb Femina Miss India 2015 title

i. Aditi Arya of Delhi won the fbb Femina Miss India 2015 title on 28 March 2015 at the 52nd edition of the beauty contest held at Yash Raj Studio in Mumbai. She was crowned with the title by Koyal Rana, Femina Miss India 2014.

ii. Aditi Arya will represent India at Miss World 2015; Aafreen Rachel(Ist runner-up) will participate at Miss International 2015, while Vartika Singh (2nd runner up) will take part at the Miss Grand International beauty pageants.

Important Days

Earth Hour 2015 observed globally on 28th March from 8.30 pm to 9.30 pm local time

Theme - "Change Climate Change"

i. Earth Hour 2015 was observed across 172 nations and territories and around 1400+ iconic landmarks of the world switched off the lights. This was the ninth edition of the Earth Hour that started in 2007.

ii. Earth Hour is organised by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) since 2007 when it was first observed in Sydney, Australia. 

iii. The brand ambassadors for Earth Hour in India are Arjun Kapoor (actor), Priya Mani (actress), Sania Mirza (Tennis player), June Maliah (actress), and Suresh Gopi (Malayalam actor).

Appointment

Rear Admiral SK Grewal Assumes Charge as Flag Officer Sea Training

i. Rear Admiral SK Grewal has assumed charge as the Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST) under the Southern Naval Command.

ii. His charter includes conduct of operational sea training for all the ships of the Indian Navy and Coast Guard by enhancing crew proficiency in all aspects, including safe navigation practices, damage control and fire fighting drills, weapon firings as well as seamanship training

Sports

Australia win by 7 wickets, bag 5th World Cup title

i. Electing to bat first, New Zealand were dismissed for 183 in 45 overs against Australia in the ICC Cricket World Cup finals at MCG on Sunday.

ii. The Australian bowlers were up to the task right from the word go. Mitchell Johnson (3 for 30) and James Faulkner (3 for 36) were the pick of the bowlers. Mitchell Starc took 2 for 20, whle Maxwell took 1 for 37.

iii. Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc was named the player of the tournament after his team beat New Zealand by seven wickets to win the World Cup at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday.

Michael Clarke retired from ODI cricket

i. Michael Clarke, the Australian cricketer, on 29 March 2015 retired from One Day Internationals (ODI) after final match of 2015 Cricket World Cup. He will continue to represent Australian cricket team in the Test matches.

ii. Batted in 223 of 245 matches and had scored 7981 runs of which 130 was his highest score. He bowled in 106 innings and took 57 wickets.

Saina, Srikant won India Open Super Series Badminton Women's & Men's Singles titles

i. Indian shuttlers, Saina Nehwal and Kidambi Srikanth on 29 March 2015 won the women’s and men's singles titles of the 275000 dollar India Open Super Series badminton tournament. 

ii. In the final clash played at the Siri Fort Indoor Complex in New Delhi, Saina defeated former world champion Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand 21-16, 21-14.