Hello and welcome to exampundit. Here are the important Daily Current Affairs 18-21 January 2019. These are important for the upcoming NIACL AO and SBI PO 2019 Exams.
Daily Current Affairs 18-21 January 2019 for Bank, SSC and Competitive Exams
Finance and Economy
PM Modi inaugurates Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2019
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the ninth edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2019 on January 18, 2019. The summit is being held at the Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
- The Summit witnessed the presence of Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani, Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrashekhran, Chairman of Aditya Birla Group Kumar Mangalam Birla, Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani, Godrej Group Chairman Adi Godrej, among others.
- The theme of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2019 was “Youth Connect 2019: Shaping A New India – The Story of Billion Dreams”.
- Fifteen countries including Australia, Canada, France and Japan have agreed to be “partner countries” this year.
- Unlike past summits, the United States and United Kingdom will not be associating themselves with the Summit as `Partner Countries’ this year.
- Over 20,000 national and international delegates are expected to attend the 9th edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit.
- Some of the major events that will be held during the three-day summit are – roundtable interaction, ‘Africa Day’ and an MSME Convention.
India, JICA sign loan agreements on Japan’s Official Development Assistance Loan to India
- India and Japan-India Cooperative Actions (JICA) on January 18, 2019 signed the loan agreements under the Japanese Official Development Assistance Loan Program.
- The Loan Agreements were signed by Dr. C.S. Mohapatra, Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Union Ministry of Finance, and Katsuo Matsumoto, Chief Representative, JICA in New Delhi.
The agreements under the Japanese Official Development Assistance Loan were singed for two projects. These are:
- Project for the Construction of Chennai Peripheral Ring Road (Phase 1) for Japanese Yen 40.074 billion (around Rs 2470 Crore)
- Program for Japan-India Cooperative Actions towards Sustainable Development Goals in India for Japanese Yen 15.000 billion (around Rs 950 Crore).
BHEL and LIBCOIN in dialogue to build India’s first lithium ion factory
- Consortium to initially build 1 GWh lithium ion battery plant and capacity will be scaled up to 30GWh in due course.
- Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL) and Libcoin are in dialogue to form a world class consortium to initially build 1GWh lithium ion battery plant in India. Its capacity will be scaled up to 30GWh in due course. With this, India has finally taken steps into its energy security and clean energy commitment to the world.
- A holistic view of the supply chain in combination with cutting edge digital technologies to replace high CAPEX and high OPEX processes will be the highlight of this project in India.
Two-day Agri Vision concludes in Hyderabad
- The 2-day Agri Vision 2019 Conference on envisioning Agro solutions for Smart and Sustainable Agriculture, which was inaugurated by Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday, has concluded here on Friday.
- The two day conference was jointly organized by Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU), Confederation of Indian Industry(CII) and Cornell University, USA.
- In this two days conference there were eight different sessions organized and 44 speakers from various public and private institutions, industries, and also experts from USA and farmers were participated in the deliberations held on various subjects.
India and states
PM Narendra Modi launches National Museum of Indian Cinema in Mumbai
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the National Museum of Indian Cinema (NMIC) in Mumbai on January 19, 2019.
- The development of the Museum was guided by the Museum Advisory Committee headed by Shyam Benegal. An innovation Committee headed by Prasoon Joshi provided an upgrade to the NMIC.
- Built at a cost of Rs 140.61 crore, the museum depicts the journey of over a century of Indian cinema in a story telling mode with the help of visuals, graphics, artifacts, interactive exhibits and multimedia expositions.
- The Museum is housed in two buildings – the New Museum Building and the 19th century historic palace Gulshan Mahal – in the Films Division campus in Mumbai.
- The Gulshan Mahal is an ASI Grade-II Heritage Structure which has been restored as part of the NMIC project.
Narendra Modi inaugurates India’s first private Howitzer-manufacturing facility in Gujarat
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the Armoured Systems Complex of Larsen and Toubro in Gujarat, the first private facility in the country where the K9 Vajra self-propelled Howitzer guns will be manufactured.
- L&T had in 2017 won the Rs 4,500-crore contract from the Ministry of Defence to supply 100 units of K9 Vajra-T 155 mm/52 calibre tracked self-propelled gun systems to the Indian Army under the Centre’s ‘Make in India’ initiative.
- The company has set up the facility in Hazira, around 30km from Surat, to manufacture and integrate advanced armoured platforms, such as self-propelled artillery Howitzers, future infantry combat vehicles, future-ready combat vehicles and future main battle tanks.
Bihar Government lifts ban on sale of live fish in Patna
- Bihar Government lifted ban on sale of live fish, three days after it banned the sale, transportation and storage of all kinds of fish dead or alive in Patna for 15 days.
- The ban was lifted following a directive from Chief Minister Nitish Kumar after reports of growing protests by fishermen and vendors selling fish.
- Fish traders had also threatened to launch agitation against the ban.
- The ban will continue on sale, storage and transportation of fish from Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal in Patna as laboratory tests confirmed presence of high content of formalin and heavy metals like lead and cadmium in the consignments.
Shehri Samridhi Utsav to begin from February 1; will focus on extending outreach of DAY-NULM
- Hardeep S. Puri, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, on January 18, 2019 informed that a series of events named ‘Shehri Samridhi Utsav’ will begin from February 1, 2019 and will go on till February 15, 2019.
- The event, organised by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, will focus on urban livelihoods and extending the outreach of National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) to the poorest of the poor and the most vulnerable, and facilitate access of SHG members to the other government schemes.
- Safety Net Survey – The survey is being conducted to identify eligible SHG members not covered by government programs such as SBM(U), PMAY(U), Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Surakhsa Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Yojana and National Nutrition Mission.
- SHG members across cities will participate in a rally to spread awareness about DAY-NULM. Revolving Funds will be provided to all eligible SHGs.
NAS Shibpur to be commissioned as INS Kohassa
- Naval Air Station (NAS) Shibpur will be commissioned as INS Kohassa by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba on January 24, 2019.
- The move is being undertaken to enhance the operational capability of Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC).
- NAS Shibpur was established in 2010.
- The NAS Shibpur was set up as a Forward Operating Air Base (FOAB) for surveillance in North Andaman.
- Located in the northern-most part of the islands, the airfield holds strategic importance not only for the security of the islands but also for its overall development.
IIT-Hyderabad to launch full-fledged bachelor’s programme in Artificial Intelligence
- The Indian Institute of Technology-Hyderabad (IIT-H) has announced the launch of a full-fledged bachelor’s programme in Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology from the new academic session, which is a first for the country and only the third globally.
- The Institute was already offering a Masters in Technology programme in AI-Machine Learning (ML).
- Besides IIT- Hyderabad, only Carnegie Mellon University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), both of which are in the US, offer full-fledged B.Tech programmes in AI.
2nd World Orange Festival begins in Nagpur
- The second World Orange Festival began in Nagpur on January 18, 2019.
- The festival, while offering its famed oranges to the world, will also showcase and brand the exquisite fruit in order to boost its export.
- Agricultural experts and scientists from various countries will participate in the workshops and guide farmers.
Regional Conference on ‘Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme’ held in Mumbai
- A Regional Conference on ‘Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme’ was held in Mumbai on January 17, 2019.
- Programme Implementing Agencies including NGOs and state government representatives from Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Goa were present for the conference.
- Joint Secretary of Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Dr. Prabodh Seth highlighted the need for creation of inclusive society that accepts and respects persons with disabilities without discrimination.
Suresh Prabhu inaugurates 10th edition of India Rubber Expo 2019
- Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Suresh Prabhu inaugurated the 10th edition of the India Rubber Expo – 2019 in Mumbai.
- The three-day event, being held at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, is one of the most anticipated events in the rubber industry’s calendar.
- The rubber industry is a truly homegrown industry which is having a deep impact on several global markets.
Appointments
RBI approves appointment of V Vaidyanathan as MD, CEO of IDFC First Bank
- The Reserve Bank has approved the appointment of V Vaidyanathan as MD and CEO of IDFC First Bank for a period of three years, according to a regulatory filing.
- His tenure is effective from December 19, 2018.
- Last month, IDFC Bank and non-banking financial company Capital First completed their merger, creating a combined loan asset book of Rs 1.03 lakh crore for the merged entity IDFC First Bank.
Justice Asif Khosa takes oath as Chief Justice of Pakistan
- Justice Asif Saeed Khosa took oath as the 26th Chief Justice of Pakistan in a simple ceremony.
- President Arif Alvi administered oath to the new Chief Justice who took office after the retirement of Chief Justice Saqib Nisar.
- Prime Minister Imran Khan, judges of higher courts, ministers, diplomats, civil and military officials, lawyers and foreign guests including from India were present at the oath taking ceremony.
Sports
Vinesh Phogat becomes first Indian athlete to be nominated in Laureus World Comeback of Year Award
- Indian star wrestler Vinesh Phogat on January 17, 2019 became the first Indian athlete to be nominated for the prestigious Laureus World Comeback of the Year Award.
- Vinesh has been nominated in “Laureus World Sporting Comeback” category for the year 2019 and will be competing for the award with some of the world’s greatest sportspersons including golfer Tiger Woods, Canadian snowboarder Mark McMorris, American alpine ski racer Lindsey Vonn, Japanese figure skater Yuzuru Manyu and Dutch para-snowboarding star Bibian Mentel-Spee.
- The Awards will be presented on February 18, 2019 in Monaco, a tiny independent city-state on France’s Mediterranean coastline.
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Team Exampundit