India Surpasses United Kingdom to become Fifth-Largest Economy
- As per the rert published in Forbes magazine, India has overtaken the United Kingdom in terms of the size of the economy, first time in 150 years.
- With this major shift in world economy, India has now become the fifth largest country in terms of the size of the economy after the United States, China, Japan and Germany.
Delhi Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung resigns
- Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung has submitted his resignation to the Government of India.
- The tenure of Jung, who took the charge of the office on July 9, 2013, was scheduled to end in 2018.
- According to a statement released by his office, Jung, who was the 13th Vice-Chancellor of the Jamia Millia Islamia university, would be returning to academics.
Sahitya Akademi Award: 2016
- Mumbai-based writer Jerry Pinto, Tamil author Vannadhasan, Hindi writer Nasira Sharma are among 24 others declared the winners of the Sahitya Akademi awards 2016.
- Sharma’s Hindi novel Paarijat, Pinto’s Em and the Big Hoom and Vannadhasan’s Oru Sru Isai won them the literary honour.
- Among the winners are eight book of poetry, seven books of short stories, five novels, two on criticism, one of essays and one play.
- The books were chosen on the basis of recommendations made by a jury of three in the languages concerned and approved by its executive board.
India successfully test-fires long range nuclear-capable subsonic cruise missile Nirbhay
India has successfully test-fired its home-grown long
range subsonic cruise missile Nirbhay on 20 December 2016 from the Integrated
Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur on sea off Odisha coast,for a distance of about
1,000 km .
This was the second flight trial of the missile as
the maiden test had to be aborted mid way in March last year when the missile
deviated from its path.
Girija Vaidyanathan appointed Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu
- Girija Vaidyanathan, Additional Chief Secretary and Commissioner of Land Administration, has been appointed Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu in place of P. Rama Mohana Rao.
- Ms.Vaidyanathan will also hold full additional charge of Vigilance Commissioner and Commissioner for Administrative Reforms.
Cabinet Approves Creation of Indian Enterprise Development Service (IEDS)
The Government of India has approved cadre review and formation of the Indian Enterprise Development Service (IEDS) in the Office of the Development Commissioner, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
The creation of the new cadre and change in structure will not only strengthen the organisation, but will help achieve the vision of Startup India, Stand-up India and Make in India.
Ministry of Minority affairs Launches website for Haj Pilgrims
- Minister for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi launched the trilingual website www.haj.gov.in relating to Haj Matters.
- The website is in Hindi, Urdu and English languages.
Gujarat govt announces Aerospace and Defence Policy-2016
- Gujarat government has announced Aerospace and Defence Policy-2016 to attract investment into fields of aerospace and defence design, development and manufacturing in the state.
- Under the policy, investors will be entitled to get 100 % reimbursement on stamp duty and registration charges paid for purchase, lease or mortgage of land meant for setting up the facility in the areas of Aerospace and Defence.
RBI slaps fine on 5 foreign banks for violating FEMA rules
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed the penalty on five foreign banks, including Deutsche Bank and Standard Chartered Bank, for violation of its instructions on reporting requirements of the FEMA on 21st December 2016.
- The three other banks are: Bank of America, Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi and The Royal Bank of Scotland.
- They have been fined for violation of its instructions on reporting requirements of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA).
Bank of Baroda announces support for FIFA Under-17 World Cup India 2017, 1st Indian company to do so
- With over 10 months to go for the launch of FIFA Under-17 World Cup India 2017, the Bank of Baroda has become the first Indian company to sign up as a national supporter.
- The first-ever FIFA event in India, scheduled to kick start in October 2017 will see
- participation from 24 countries and matches will be played at six different venues.
- While FIFA already has international sponsors for all events, including Coca-Cola, Adidas, and Wanda, BOB is the first Indian supporter.
China inks deal with BRICS bank approving 525 mn yuan loan
- China has inked an agreement with the New development bank (NDB) set up by the BRICS approving a 525 million yuan loan for a solar power project in the country.
- The new lender announced a 525 million yuan loan for the Shanghai Lingang Distributed Solar Power Project.
- This is the Bank’s first project in China, a solar photovoltaic power plant with total capacity of 100 MW to be built in Lingang Industrial Area of Shanghai.
Japan successfully launches solid fuel rocket
- Japan's space agency has announced successfully launched a 26-metre-long rocket named Epsilon-2, which put a satellite that helps study radiation belts in orbit.
- Epsilon-2 is part of a new generation of solid propellant rockets which can reduce launch costs up to one-third.
- Reduction in cost can allow countries to put more communication and weather satellites in space.
Government of Iran Unveils Bill of Right.
- Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani has unveiled a landmark Bill of rights guaranteeing freedom of speech, protest, fair trials and privacy.
- Although many of the rights are already enshrined in Iran’s constitution written after the 1979 Islamic revolution, Rouhani said it offered the first clear list of principles that could be used to check the performance of state institutions.
Priyanka 1st Indian to be made Pantene's global ambassador
Actress Priyanka Chopra has become the first Indian to
be appointed as the global ambassador of the hair care brand 'Pantene calling
the brand a "favourite around the world.
Hrithik launches book series for visually impaired children
- Actor Hrithik Roashan has launched a children's book series 'Tactabet', written in Braille format, which is being published for visually impaired people.
- Available in both Hindi and English, the book series is on the alphabets.
Arjun Bhati wins in Kids Golf World Championship
- A 12-year-old Arjun Bhati has outshined India in the Kids Golf World Championship 2016 in Malaysia defeating South Africa's Methu Denish to secure the first position.
- In a competition in which 21 countries had participated, Arjun secured the top shot scoring two extra shots.
India squad for 2nd T20 World Cup for Blind 2017 announced
- The Cricket Association of India has organised a 17-member Indian team for the upcoming second T20 cricket World cup for the visually challenged.
- The World Cup will be held from January 28, 2017, till February 12, 2017, and the final will be played in Bengaluru.
- 9 players have also been named as reserves for the tournament.
