21 June 2017 - Current Affairs

International Yoga Day being celebrated worldwide


  • International Yoga Day (3rd) is being celebrated worldwide on 21st June to promote yoga and make it as a part of people’s daily routine.
  • The theme of this year is "Yoga for Health", to highlight the fact that yoga can contribute in a holistic way to achieving an equilibrium between mind and body.
  • The headquarters of the United Nations (UN) in ‘New York’ has been also lit up with images of yoga postures.

Note:
  • In Dec 2014, United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) had unanimously adopted an India-led resolution to observe 21st June as ‘International Day of Yoga’.
  • The first International Yoga Day (IYD) was celebrated across the world on 21st June 2015.

Hike partners with Yes Bank to launch UPI-based wallet


  • Hike Messenger has launched the new version of the app ‘Hike 5.0’ with a completely new interface and the addition of a mobile wallet, in partnership with YES Bank.
  • With Unified Payments Interface(UPI) support, users can now do free and instant bank-to-bank transfers with their friends even if they aren't on Hike.
  • For those who don’t actively use a bank account, Hike still allows them to send and receive money with your friends through the Wallet.
  • The app now also allows users to recharge their phones and pay their post-paid bill right from inside Hike.


GST facilitation cell established for implementation of new indirect tax regime for stakeholders


  • Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry and its organizations have established ‘GST facilitation cell’ to facilitate the implementation of the new indirect tax regime for the stakeholders.
  • The cell has been constituted to serve as the first point of contact for industry to facilitate, guide and provide all support to the stakeholders for a smooth and successful rollout of GST from 1st of next month.
  • Nine officers have been deployed in the cell.


Chandrababu Naidu awards Rs. 5 lakhs to Nellore's Jyotsna


  • The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh ‘N. Chandrababu Naidu’ has announced a financial support of Rs. 5,00,000 to a girl, Jyotsna of Nellore for performing most difficult asanas on 3rd International Yoga Day celebrations in Vijayawada.
  • This amount would be deposited in the favour of ‘Jyotsna’ for pursuing MBBS.


Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute selected for PM's Yoga Award 2017


  • Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute (Pune) has been selected the Prime Minister's Award for outstanding contribution to promotion and development of Yoga. 
  • The Yoga Institute has worked to spread Yoga, internationally over a period of four decades.
  • The Institute has published books on Yoga in multiple languages. 
  • The selection was done from among 85 nominations received and 15 more recommended by the Screening Committee. 
  • Last year, the Prime Minister Modi has announced the award on the occasion of the Second International Day of Yoga at Chandigarh. 

Note: The Award was recommended by an Evaluation Committee (Jury) constituted under the Chairmanship of the Cabinet Secretary and included Additional Principal Secretary to Prime Minister, the Foreign Secretary, Secretary (AYUSH) and Dr. Veerendra Heggade as its members.

Thirty-three airports in small towns to come on aviation map by Sept.


  • According to the Union Civil Aviation Minister ‘Ashok Gajapathi Raju’, thirty-three airports in small towns would come on the aviation map by this September through the regional connectivity scheme ‘UDAAN’.
  • The ‘UDAAN’ scheme is designed as a demand-driven one so that States can participate in it to make it fruitful.
  • At present, five private air service providers have come forward to join the scheme and operate flights to smaller towns.
  • Now, in every six months, tenders are being floated for operationalizing the scheme in unserved areas where navigable airstrips are available.


Three more Passport Seva Kendras to come up in Odisha


  • The Union Govt. has decided to open three Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs), at Balasore, Berhampur, and Bhawanipatna in Odisha.
  • These POPSKs will be set up in the second phase of the scheme.
  • Earlier, Sushma Swaraj has announced the opening of 149 new POPSKs in the second phase.


India & Portugal sign agreement to promote Cooperation in the Field of Archives


  • The National Archives of India and the Minister of Culture of the Portuguese Republic have signed agreement a Protocol of Cooperation in the field of archives in Lisbon, Portugal.
  • The National Archives of Portugal handed over to the National Archives of India digital copies of 62 volumes of the collection known as ‘Moncoes do Reino’.


Bihar Governor ‘Ram Nath Kovind’ resigns


  • President 'Pranab Mukherjee' has accepted the resignation of Bihar Governor ‘Ram Nath Kovind’.
  • Earlier, National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has announced the name of Dalit leader Kovind (71-year) as its nominee for the president's post.
  • President has appointed West Bengal Governor ‘Keshari Nath Tripathi’ to also discharge the function of Governor of Bihar until further notice.
  • The presidential election is scheduled for 17th July 2017.

Note:
  • Ram Nath Kovind was born in Kanpur Dehat district, Uttar Pradesh.
  • Kovind holds a Bachelor degree in Commerce and an LLB from Kanpur University.

Uber Founder Travis Kalanick resigns as Uber CEO


  • Uber Founder & the chief executive of Uber 'Travis Kalanick' has resigned from the post.
  • Kalanick will remain on Uber’s board of directors.
  • Uber Technologies Inc. is an American technology company headquartered in San Francisco, California, United States and operating in 570 cities worldwide.

Note:
  • In 2009, Uber was founded as UberCab by Garrett Camp (co-founder of Stumble Upon) and Travis Kalanick, who had sold his Red Swoosh start up for USD 19 million in 2007.
  • It develops, markets, and operates the Uber car transportation and food delivery mobile apps.

Anil Kumble resigns as Head Coach of Indian Cricket team


  • Former Indian Captain ‘Anil Kumble’ has resigned from the post of ‘Head Coach’ of the Senior Indian Cricket team.
  • Earlier, one year contract of Kumble expired at the end of the Champions Trophy but he was given the option to travel with the team to the West Indies tour.
  • The BCCI has deputed MV Sridhar (General Manager of cricket operations) to supervise the team management for the West Indies tour.
  • The batting coach Sanjay Bangar and fielding coach R Sridhar will continue in their roles.


Saudi king names son Mohammed bin Salman as crown prince


  • Saudi King ‘Salman’ named his son ‘Mohammed bin Salman’(31-year) as crown prince also named deputy prime minister and minister of defence.
  • This completes a gradual removal of powers from the previous Prince Mohammed bin Nayef (57-year), who has been fired.

Note: The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia is the second most important position in Saudi Arabia (second to the king) and is his designated successor.

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