Current Affairs 2014 May Week 2 for SBI PO
Economy
India to pay assistance of $1 mn for relief to Afghanistan
To fulfill its commitment for relief and other cooperation, India has announced to hand over $1 million financial assistance to Afghanistan for relief and rehabilitation.
- Under the relief package, many development and other works would be begins in Badakshan province.
- Badakshan was the province which was hit by a massive landslide last week burying over 2,000 people.
Nokia joins hands with NTT DoCoMo to research on 5G technology
In a major development, Finland based telecom company Nokia joins hands with Japan’s NTT DoCoMo in research and standardization of fifth generation (5G) technologies and work jointly on a 5G proof of concept (PoC) system. Both the companies are leaders in the field and hope to do something better in the area.
Saudi Arabia bans import of Indian chili peppers
- Alleging due to the presence of high pesticide residues, Saudi Arabia has bans the import of chili peppers from India.
- Saudi Arabia is the fifth-largest importer of fresh vegetables from India and this move will certainly damage the aspect of green vegetables supply of India.
‘Mission 676’
- A move launched by Kerala government for the speedy implementation of major infrastructure in the state.
- Chief Minister Oommen Chandy announced the move”Mission 676″, for the speedy implementation of major infrastructure and social schemes to make the state a better place to live in.
- It is noted that in Kerala, the United Democratic Front government marking its third anniversary and the announcement was come in light to celebrate the anniversary of the government.
RBI allowed the minors of age above 10 years to open Savings Bank Accounts
- According to new guidelines by RBI,allow the minors of age above 10 years to independently open and operate savings bank accounts and use other facilities like ATM and cheque books.
- Needless to say, right now banks do not allowed minors to operate bank accounts it can be operated only along with a parent or a guardian. All children and teenagers below the age of 18 are considered minors under current rules.
- RBI has stated the initiative to promote the objective of financial inclusion and also to bring uniformity among banks in opening and operating minors’ accounts.
Awards
Prateik Jain wins Provogue Mens XP Mr. India 2014 title
- Prateik Jain of Bangalore is the winner of the first edition of Provogue Mens XP Mr. India 2014.
- Puneet Beniwal from Delhi declared as the first runner-up title and Chennai’s Bharat Raj was declared as the second runner-up.
- It was the first edition of Provogue Mens XP Mr. India 2014 and the winner Prateik Jain will now represent India at Mr. World 2014 pageant held in Torbay, Britain June 15.
Florence Nightingale Awards
- President Pranab Mukherjee presented the National Florence Nightingale award to nursing professionals on the occasion of International Nurses’ Day- 12 May.
- Total 35 nursing personnel from across the country were honored for their meritorious services and contributions.
- May 12 is celebrated as the world on this day observes International Nurses Day every year.
People in News
Actor Sarat Pujari passes
- Sarat Pujari was a veteran Odia Film actor and president of Odisha Sangeet Natak Academy. He was 80.
- Pujari made his debut in the film ‘Mahalaxmi’ in 1959 and played various roles in his five decades career.
- Some of his popular films are ‘Jiban Sathi’, ‘Kaa’, ‘Arundhati’, ‘Matira Manisha’, ‘Tapoi’, ‘Asanta Graha’, ‘Astaraga’ and ‘Aranya Rodana’.
Kristin Lund of Norway
- Kristin Lund, who is the Major General of Norway, scripted history when she became the first-ever woman to head a UN Peacekeeping Force in its entire history.
- For her major success in her career, she was appointed as the Force Commander of UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) on 12 May 2014 to mark its 50th anniversary in 2014.
Praveen Kumar: Special observer for Varanasi Lok Sabha Poll
- Praveen Kumar is the Tamil Nadu’s chief electoral officer who was appointed as a special observer by the Election Commission for Varanasi Lok Sabha.
- Varanasi was one of the much hyped constituencies in the country where BJP PM Candidate Narendra Modi and AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal was contesting the election. Ajay Rai was the Congress Candidate from here.
- Narendra Modi has also contested the election from Vadodara Lok Sabha seat from Gujarat.
G.N.Saibaba: D U Professor
- G.N.Saibaba, a Delhi University Professor was arrested here by a team of Maharashtra Police for his alleged involvement in Maoist activities.
- A police team from Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli district arrested him, hotbed of Maoist activities.
- He is an English Professor with Delhi University.
Pakistan expelled two Indian Journalists
- Pakistan expelled the two Indian journalists, Press Trust of India’s Snehesh Alex Philip and The Hindu newspaper’s Meena Menon.
- Pakistan asked them late on night to leave within seven days without assigning any reason.
- India termed the whole incident as “regrettable and unfortunate” and as a “retrograde step.”
Professor Talat Ahmad: New Jamil V.C.
- Professor Talat Ahmad will be the new Vice Chancellor of the Jamia Millia Islamina University
- He is the intellectual freedom and critical opportunities in frontier areas of contemporary concern and he is expected to provide cutting-edge learning experience to the University.
Archana Ramasundaram
Senior Police official, Archana Ramasundaram from Tamil Nadu, was suspended by TN government alleging on the day she took over as the additional director of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) at New Delhi without being relieved.
Lt. Gen. Suhag New Army Chief
- Lt Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag will be the next Army Chief of the country.
- He will succeed Gen Bikram Singh on his retirement on July 31.
- Lt Gen Suhag is a Gurkha officer and currently he is the Vice Chief of Army Staff. He will have tenure of 30 months as the Chief of the force.
Miscellaneous
SC bans Tamil Nadu bull fights ‘Jallikattu’
- In a major move, the Supreme Court banned Tamil Nadu’s centuries-old Jallikattu bull fights which was in practice for many times.
- Court said that bulls could not be used as performing animals, either for the Jallikattu or bullock-cart races.
- The bench headed by Justice KS Radhakrishnan and included Pinaki Chandra Misra directed the governments and the Animal Welfare Board of India to take steps to prevent the infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering on animals.
Gmail App First to hit 1 Billion installations
- Google’s Gmail app has become the first standalone smartphone app to pass one billion installations on Android devices.
INS Ganga
There was a minor fire abroad in the INS Ganga.
- There was not a major loss except four people including two sailors and two civilians’ sustained injuries in the incident.
Facebook page for NE people
- Delhi Police has launches Facebook page for NE people for keep in touch for their safety and security and their concerns in the capital.
- Now they can share their problems on Facebook with the Delhi Police with the social networking site especially for them.
Record: 2014 election sees highest ever voter turnout
- According to the Election Commission sources, the national voter turnout of 66.38 percent in the 2014 general election was the highest ever in Indian polls.
Antilia rated world’s ‘most outrageously expensive property
- According to Forbes magazine, the Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani’s skyscraper Mumbai home Antilia has been rated as the world’s “most outrageously expensive property.”
- Antilia- has been named after a mythical island in the Atlantic.
Events in News
Exhibition of Indian Buddhist art, scrolls
- A unique exhibition of Indian Buddhist arts and scrolls opens in Hong Kong.
- The move is assumed to celebrate the 2,576th birth anniversary of the Buddha. ASEAN summit starts in Myanmar (10:44)
24th ASEAN leaders’ meeting
- The 24th ASEAN leaders’ meeting held at Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar.
- Myanmar President U Thein Sein described seminar as as a symbol of “unity and dedication.
2014 World Economic Forum (WEF)
- 2014 World Economic Forum (WEF) wrapped up at Abuja, capital of Nigeria.
- Africa attracted investment worth more than 68 billion U.S. dollars during the summit.
Mauritius official to observe LS poll
According to Election Commission officials
- Mauritius official to observe LS poll last phase in Bengal A top official from Mauritius will visit the eastern metropolis during the final phase of the Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal.
- The purpose of the move was to get an insight into the management of elections.
ANC wins South Africa’s general election
- The African National Congress (ANC) performed very well in the recently held election in the country.
- ANC won a majority of 249 seats in the National Assembly in South Africa’s general election.
Festival of Hope: Cancer survivors’ catwalk fashion show
It is a awareness program in terms of Fashion show like a set of brave cancer survivors set the ramp at a fashion show held in Mumbai.
Caravan 2014
- A fashion and lifestyle collaboration show featuring the finest of Indian fashion, design and décor.
- Caravan 2014 was organized at Harvey Nichols in Riyadh.
- Works and design from ace designer Anita Dongre.
Book Authors
Book – A Stamp Is Born released
- Written by C. R. Pakrashi , book provide a graphic account of history and evolution of postage stamps.
- Vice President of India M Hamid Ansari releases the book. The book gives a graphic account of history and evolution of postage stamps.
Book: My Years with Rajiv and Sonia
- Written by R.D. Pradhan, who has shared his views and moments spent with Rajeev and Sonia Gandhi.
Book – A story of Manipur when it started to simmer
- Written by M.R. Narayan Swamy
Book – On A Clear Day You Can See India
- Written by C. Balagopal
Book – India Junction – A Window to the Nation
- Written by Arunendra Kumar.