Current Affairs Update – 23-24-25-26 Jan, 2015

• The Union Bank of India (UBI) will open its branch in
  Sydney by the end of this month, a top official has said.
• Presently, the bank has a representative office in
  Sydney.
• UBI recently opened a branch at Antwerp in Belgium. Apart
  from that, the bank has branches in Dubai, Hong Kong and London and
  representative offices in Beijing, Shanghai (both in China) and Abu Dhabi, he
  said.
• Tiwari was speaking on the sidelines of a function to
  inaugurate a cash depositing kiosk here today.

• Sukanya Samridhi Account will fetch an interest rate of
  9.1 percent and provide income tax rebate.
• Sukanya Samridhi Account can be opened at any time from
  the birth of a girl child till she attains the age of 10 years with a minimum
  deposit of 1000 rupees.
• A maximum of 1.5 lakh rupees can be deposited during the
  financial year. The account can be opened in any post office or authorised
  branches of commercial banks.
• The account will remain operative for 21 years from the
  date of opening of the account or marriage of the girl child after attaining 18
  years of age.
• To meet the requirement of higher education expenses,
  partial withdrawal of 50 percent of the balance amount will be allowed after
  the girl child has attended 18 years of age.

• State Bank of India (SBI) on 23 January 2015 signed a
  loan agreement for 100 million Euro with the European Investment Bank (EIB).
• EIB is a long-term lending institution of the European
  Union. The agreement was signed on 19 January 2015. The agreement was
  facilitated by SBI Capital Markets.
• The loan will be utilised to support the private sector’s
  development—in particular small and medium-sized enterprises, social and
  economic infrastructure as well as climate change mitigation and adaptation in
  India. The EIB funds will be earmarked for financing projects across a broad
  range of sectors, including manufacturing, as well as wholesale and retail
  trade and services.
• This is third tranche of a total sanction of 200 million
  Euro by EIB. A first tranche of 55 million Euro and second tranche of 45 million
  Euro were signed in June 2014 and November 2014 respectively.

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 23 January 2015
  simplified procedure for External Commercial Borrowings (ECB) Policy.
• The directions have been issued under sections 10(4) and
  11(1) of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999. Changes are effected during
  the tenure of the ECB.

• Under the simplified procedure, the RBI has delegated
  powers to the banks to make changes/modifications in the draw-down and
  repayment schedules of the ECB raised both under the automatic and approval
  routes. FCCBs will, however, not be covered within these provisions.
• It has simplified the existing procedure for
  rescheduling/restructuring of external commercial borrowings (ECBs). It also
  delegated more powers to banks to deal with cases related to change in
  draw-down and repayment schedules.
• The above mentioned changes/modifications could either be
  associated with change/no change in the average maturity period and/or with
  changes (increase/decrease) in the all-in-cost.
• Banks can allow reduction in the amount of ECB
  (irrespective of the number of occasions) along with any changes in draw-down
  and repayment schedules, average maturity period and all-in-cost. They can also
  permit increase in all-in-cost of ECB, irrespective of the number of occasions.
• Banks can permit changes/ modifications in the draw-down
  and repayment schedules of the ECB provided the revised average maturity period
  and/or all-in-cost is/are in conformity with the applicable
  ceilings/guidelines.

• Eminent
  cartoonist and creator of the ‘Common Man’, R.K. Laxman, passed away at the
  Deenanath Mangeshkar hospital in Pune on Monday evening. He was 93.
• He is best
  known for his creation The Common Man, for his daily cartoon strip, “You
  Said It” in The Times of India, which started in 1951.

• Padma
  Vibhushan – Govt. of India, 2005
• Ramon
  Magsaysay Award for Journalism, Literature and Creative Communication Arts –
  1984

• 50 Years
  of Independence through the eyes of R.K.Laxman
• The Best
  of Laxman series
• Hotel
  Riviera
• The
  Messenger
• Servants
  of India
• The Tunnel
  of Time (autobiography)
• His
  autobiography Lakshmanrekha is published in Marathi.
• The Reel
  World [cartoons]published by Marwah Studios
• Brushing
  Up The Years- A Cartoonist’s History of India- 1947 to the Present- Penguin
  Books

• For the
  first time in the history of India’s Republic Day, women empowerment in the
  armed forces was showcased as an all-women contingent from the three forces —
  Army, Air Force and Navy — marched down the majestic Rajpath.
• While
  women officers have been participating in previous Republic Day parades, it was
  for the first time that an all-women contingent of the armed forces
  participated.
• While the
  Army contingent was led by Capt Divya Ajith, the Navy was led by Lt Commander
  Sandhya Chauhan. The Air Force contingent was led by Squadron Leader Sneha
  Shekhawat.
• The
  contingents had 148 personnel each drawn from the Army, Air Force and the Navy.

• U.S.
  President Barack Obama today joined a select group of world leaders who have
  attended India’s Republic Day celebrations in the last over six decades.
• Obama, who
  was the Chief Guest at the 66th Republic Day celebrations, watched the
  impressive parade at the majestic Rajpath along with his wife Michelle.
• He also
  became the first American President to grace the celebration. Bill Clinton was
  the first U.S. President to be invited but he did not attend.
• Last year,
  Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was the Chief Guest at the celebrations
  while Bhutan king Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck graced the occasion in 2013.
• The heads
  of state and government who have attended the Republic Day celebrations include
  Nicolas Sarkozy, Vladimir Putin, Nelson Mandela, John Major, Mohammed Khatami and
  Jacques Chirac among others.
• The then
  British Prime Minister Major had attended the celebrations in 1993, Mandela
  participated as South African President in 1995 while South Korean President
  President Lee Myung Bak witnessed the parade in 2010.
• In 2008,
  Sarkozy participated in the celebrations as French President while another
  French President Chirac graced the occasion in 1998.

1. All-women
   contingents of the Army, Navy and Air Force march through Rajpath for the first
   time
2. The first
   time that a U.S. President is Chief Guest for the parade
3. The
   President and the chief guest arrived in different motorcades, a departure from
   the standard practice of arriving together
4. CRPF shows
   off Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) used in anti-Naxal
   operations
5. The
   long-range advanced MiG-29K fighter jet on display

• Naik
  Neeraj Kumar Singh of the 57 Battalion of the Rashtriya Rifles will be
  posthumously awarded the Ashok Chakra, the country’s highest peacetime military
  decoration.
• The Army
  man, while leading a search operation at Kupwara in Jammu & Kashmir on
  August 24, 2014, came under heavy fire from terrorists. He rescued an injured
  Army person and shot dead one of the terrorists.
• President
  Pranab Mukherjee will also posthumously award the Ashok Chakra to Major Mukund
  Varadarajan of the 44th Battalion of the Rashtriya Rifles, which was announced
  on Independence Day last year for his show of exceptional courage while leading
  an anti-terror operation in Jammu and Kashmir.
• On the eve
  of the 66th Republic Day celebrations, the President has approved 374 awards of
  gallantry, including three Kirti Chakras and 12 Shaurya Chakras, and other
  defence decorations to the armed forces personnel and others.

• The
  Government announced the list of Padma awardees on Sunday with L K Advani being
  conferred with the Padma Vibhushan.
• The list
  of nine Padma Vibhushan awardees include Amitabh Bachchan, Prakash Singh Badal
  and Dilip Kumar.
• The 20
  awardees for Padma Bhushan include Harish Salve, Bill Gates and Melinda Gates
  while 75 Padma Shri awards have also been conferred to civilians for distinguished
  service in any field.
• A total of
  17 foreigners and NRIs are included in the list of awardees and four posthumous
  awards have also been conferred.

• National
  Girl Child Day is observed on 24 January 2015 across the nation.
• This
  celebration was started to offer more supports and new opportunities to the
  girls in the country. It is celebrated to increase the awareness among people
  about all the inequalities faced by the girl child in the society. This day is
  being observed every year on 24 January since 2008.
• Ministry
  of Women and Child Development has been taking a multi pronged approach to
  address and reverse the trend of declining child sex ratio in the country. The
  objective of all these initiatives is to work towards ensuring that girls are
  born, loved and nurtured and grow up to become empowered citizens of this
  country with equal rights and opportunities.
• Government
  of India has started National Girl Child Day as a national girl’s development
  mission. The mission raises the awareness among people all over the country
  about the importance of girls’ promotion. It helps in enhancing girls’
  meaningful contribution in decision making processes by active support of the
  parents and the community members.

• Prime
  Minister Narendra Modi on 24 January 2015 presented National Bravery Awards 2014
  to 24 awardees.
• 8 girls
  and 16 boys were conferred with National Bravery Awards. Four of them have been
  awarded posthumously. The awardees receive a medal, certificate and cash
  incentive. Also, they will participate in the Republic Day parade.
• In addition,
  Indian Council for Child Welfare (ICCW) provides financial assistance under its
  Indira Gandhi Scholarship Scheme to those undertaking professional courses such
  as engineering and medicine. For the others, this assistance is provided till
  they complete their graduation. The Government of India has reserved some seats
  for the awardees in medical and engineering colleges and polytechnics.
• The
  selection was made by a high powered committee comprising representatives of
  various Ministries/Departments, non-governmental organisations as well as
  Office Bearers of ICCW.

• Devesh
  Kumar                       

• Monika                                       
• Rumoh
  Meto                      
• Riya
  Chaudhary                   

• Gunjan
  Sharma                       

• Resham Fatma   

• Goa will
  host Indo-Russian Musical Festival ZimaFest from 24 January 2015 to 25 January
  2015 at Candolim beach. The musical festival will witness a confluence of
  Russian and Indian music.
• The
  festival will host various world’s best DJs and bands like Alisa, Dolphin,
  Parikrama and DJ sets by Karsh Kale, Mara, Kohra, Janux, XP Voodoo, Christ
  Burstein FT, Victoria Bourke, Bhavishyavani Future Soundz FT. M. Mat.
• The
  festival will be a soulful confluence of music, energy, food, sea, shells and
  everything and will serve music lovers a quality time with friends and family.
• The
  festival will present a dichotomous mix of a classic all-round music festival
  that has Live and DJ performances at the same time starting a new trend in the
  Indian festival environment.

• Tollywood
  Actor and comedian Mailavarapu Surya Narayana passed away on 23 January 2015
  following multi-organ failure. He was 63.
• His other
  prominent films include Badshah in 2013, Cameraman Gangatho Rambabu in 2012,
  Julayi in 2012 and Dookudu in 2011. His latest film is Manam (2014).
• Narayana
  won five Nandi awards presented by Andhra Pradesh Government as Best male
  comedian for the flims Maa Nanna ki Pelli, Ramskkanodu, Sardukupodam Randi,
  Sivamani and Dookudu.

• Kerala
  Culture Minister K C Joseph on 22 January 2015 announced setting up of the
  International Institute of Music in Kerala. It will be the first international
  institute in India that is dedicated to music.
• A Trust
  headed by Sarod Maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan has been entrusted with the
  responsibility to set up the Institute. The government will provide only land
  and all other infrastructure facilities will be built by a trust managed by
  Khan’s family.
• Moreover,
  Kerala Government also identified the land for setting up the school in
  Thiruvananthapuram or Kochi or Kozhikode. Now, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan will decide
  one location out of these.
• The school
  will be under the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi but would have a separate
  body to govern it. All kinds of music, musical instruments and musical systems
  will be taught at the Institute.

• Colombia’s Paulina Vega was crowned Miss Universe today,
  beating out contenders from the United States, Ukraine, Jamaica and The
  Netherlands at the world’s top beauty pageant in Florida.
• The 22-year-old model and business student triumphed over
  87 other women from around the world, and is only the second beauty queen from
  Colombia to take home the prize.
• The last time Colombia won the crown was in 1956 when Luz
  Marina Zuluaga took home the title.
• Vega, wearing a long silver sequined gown, was beaming
  and tearful as she accepted her sash and crown from reigning Miss Universe,
  Venezuelan Gabriela Isler.
• She edged out first runner-up, Nia Sanchez from the
  United States, hugging her as her win was announced.
• Noyonita Lodh represented India in the event.

• Recalling the “warmth” of the people during his recent visit
  there, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today greeted the people of Australia on
  ‘Australia Day’ which coincides with India’s Republic Day.
• “Best wishes to people of Australia on Australia Day!
  Will always cherish the warmth of the people of Australia during my visit last
  November,” the Prime Minister said in his message.
• Australia Day is the official national day of Australia.
• Celebrated annually on January 26, it marks the
  anniversary of the 1788 arrival of the first fleet of British Ships at Port Jackson,
  New South Wales, and raising of the Flag of Great Britain at that site by
  Governor Arthur Phillip.

• Dubai’s Maze Tower was on 21 January 2015 listed in the
  Guinness World Record for being the world’s largest vertical maze. The maze
  tower was built by Al Rostamani Group of Dubai.
• The 55-storey tall Maze Tower is located near the Sheikh
  Zayed Road in the Dubai Financial District.

• Saudi Arabia King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz passed away on
  23 January 2015 following a brief illness. He was 90.
• After the death of Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, his brother
  and Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud was named as the new king. The
  new crown prince is Muqrin bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Both Salman and Muqrin are
  younger brothers of Abdullah.
• Abdullah ascended to the throne as King in 2005.
  Abdullah’s biggest priority was to confront Iran, the Shiite powerhouse across
  the Gulf.
• One of his most ambitious projects was a Western-style
  university that bears his name, the King Abdullah University of Science and
  Technology which was opened in 2009.

• United Nation (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on 24
  January 2015 appointed Indian sociologist Saraswathi Menon in peace-building
  panel. This panel will review peace building activities.
• The others on the seven-member panel, formally known as
  advisory group on the review of the peace-building architecture, include a
  retired Pakistani major general, Anis Bajwa and Charles Petrie of France, who
  headed an internal review panel on UN actions in Sri Lanka.
• The appointment was made in accordance with the Terms of
  Reference endorsed by the General Assembly and the Security Council.
• On 15 December 2014, the Presidents of the General
  Assembly and the Security Council asked the Secretary-General to nominate up to
  seven experts to form an advisory group on the review of the peacebuilding
  architecture.
• The advisory group will undertake country studies in
  Burundi, Central African Republic, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, and Timor-Leste
  and will conduct a policy and institutional review of the peace-building
  architecture. It would also develop findings and recommendations based on this
  work.

• Former Thailand Premier Yingluck Shinawatra was impeached
  on 23 January 2015 by an army-backed parliament. The impeachment was followed
  by the ban of the Yingluck Shinawatra from politics for five years.
• Yingluck is the first Prime Minister to be impeached by
  parliament in Thailand’s history. The impeachment was a result of an allegation
  for failing to stop corruption in rice-pledging scheme.
• The motion for impeachment was started in National
  Legislative Assembly. 190 of the 219 members present for the secret ballot
  voted in favor of impeaching Yingluck Shinawatra. 18 members voted against the
  impeachment, 8 abstained, and 3 votes were spoilt.
• Yingluck was accused of dereliction of duty in her
  government’s rice-pledging scheme, which Thailand’s national anti-graft agency
  said cost the country 500 billion baht in damages due to mismanagement and
  corruption.

• Milos Raonic became the first Canadian man in the Open
  Era to reach the Australian Open quarter-finals as he edged Feliciano Lopez
  6-4, 4-6, 6-3, 6-7(7), 6-3 in Melbourne on Monday.
• The Toronto native is the first Canadian to reach the
  last eight in Melbourne since Michael Belkin in 1968.
• He is through to his third Grand Slam quarter-final,
  having made his breakthrough at Roland Garros last year and going on to reach
  his first semi-final a month later at Wimbledon.
• Raonic is also the second Canadian man in history to
  reach three major quarter-finals, following in the footsteps of Robert Powell
  at Wimbledon in 1908, 1910 and 1912.
• The 24-year-old Raonic will face either World No.1 and
  four-time champion Novak Djokovic or Gilles Muller for a place in the
  semi-finals.