05 July 2017 - Current Affairs

New Israeli Crysanthumum flower named after PM Narendra Modi


  • A new fast-growing Israeli flower has named after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a special gesture to mark the first visit to the Jewish nation Israel.
  • New fast-growing Israeli, Crysanthumun’ flower will now be called "MODI"
  • Earlier, Mr. Modi visited the Danziger 'Dan' Flower Farm along with Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu in Mishmar Hashiva.
  • The Danziger flower farm is one of Israel's leading floriculture companies with approximately 80,000 square meters of state-of-the-art greenhouses specializing in the reproduction of plants.


Narendra Modi gifts two sets of relics from Kerala to Netanyahu


  • Prime Minister ‘Narendra Modi’ has gifted his Israeli counterpart ‘Benjamin Netanyahu’ replicas of two sets of relics from Kerala.
  • They comprise two different sets of copper plates that are believed to have been inscribed in 9-10th Century.
  • The first set of copper plates is a cherished relic for the Cochin Jews in India.
  • The second set of copper plates is believed to be the earliest documentation of the history of Jewish trade with India.
  • These plates describe the grant of land and tax privileges by the local Hindu ruler to a church.
  • The replica of these plates was made possible with the cooperation of Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church in Thiruvalla, Kerala.


President clears ordinance allowing ‘Kambala’


  • President ‘Pranab Mukherjee’ has approved promulgation of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Karnataka Amendment) Ordinance, 2017.
  • It allows conducting ‘kambala’, an annual buffalo race organized in Karnataka.
  • Earlier, Kambala was banned in 2016 after PETA approached the Karnataka High Court, citing animal cruelty.
  • Kambala is an annual buffalo race held between November and March by the farming community in Karnataka’s Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.


Environment Minister launches plantation drive to mark ‘Van Mahotsav’


  • Today, the Union Environment Minister ‘Dr. Harsh Vardhan’ has launched a month-long plantation drive ‘Van Mahotsav’ at Ram Lila Park, C. C Colony, and Model Town early this morning in Delhi.
  • He also advised people to plant native trees because they readily adapt to local climate, integrate into the eco-system.
  • Van Mahotsav is usually observed in the first week of July every year and is celebrated on different days in different parts of India.
  • The objective behind celebrating the Mahotsav is to keep local people involved in plantation drives and spread environmental awareness.


Union govt. sanctions Rs 107 crore for tourism development in Puducherry


  • The Union Govt. has sanctioned Rs. 107 crores for tourism development in Puducherry.
  • The Union Ministry of Tourism has also approved two projects, Spiritual Tourism Circuit, and Heritage Tourism Circuit in the Union Territory(UT).
  • Spiritual Tourism circuit aims to connect the famous temples and other places of worship to attract both domestic and foreign tourists.
  • The Tourism Department will take up beautification of the beach promenade and development of Franco-Tamil village under the Heritage circuit project.


UP cabinet approves Industrial Investment and Employment Policy, 2017


  • The Uttar Pradesh cabinet has approved the Industrial Investment and Employment Policy, 2017 to boost investments and employment opportunities in the state.
  • The policy aimed at providing round-the-clock electricity, improving the infrastructure, and ensuring a proper law-and-order situation, for which there would be dedicated police teams in big industrial clusters.
  • A single-window system for time-bound clearance of all project-related works at the chief minister's office.
  • An investment promotion board would also be set up under the chairmanship of the chief minister and a wide network of water, rail, air, and road connectivity would be established to facilitate the industries.


Western Railway renames 'Elphinstone Road' station as 'Prabhadevi'


  • According to the Western Railways notification have changed the name of ‘Elphinstone Road station as ‘Prabhadevi’.
  • Prabhadevi is a local deity, whose temple is located in the vicinity of the railway station.
  • In December 2016, the Maharashtra Assembly had unanimously adopted a resolution to rename these railway stations which were subsequently followed by a nod from the Central Government.
  • Earlier, Mumbai’s iconic Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus was renamed as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus.


Credit card bill payment exempt from cash dealing limit of Rs 2 lakh


  • According to Revenue Department, restrictions on cash dealings of two lakh rupees or more will not apply to credit card bill payments.
  • The Finance Act 2017 banned cash transaction of 2 lakh rupees or above with effect 1st of April this year.
  • The move to ban cash transaction above a threshold was aimed at curbing black money by discouraging cash transaction and promoting digital economy.


Arunachal Pradesh celebrates 'Dree festival'


  • Today, the most popular ‘Dree festival’ of ‘Apatani community’ is being celebrated across the Arunachal Pradesh with traditional pomp and gaiety.
  • ‘Apatanis’ pray their traditional Gods to bring in a bountiful harvest season along with the defeat of destructive forces in the society through this festival.
  • The festival is marked by grand ritual and community feasts.


World's most detailed scan of the brain's internal wiring produced


  • The world's most detailed scan of the brain's internal wiring has been produced by scientists at Cardiff University.
  • The MRI machine reveals the fibres which carry all the brain's thought processes.
  • It has been done in Cardiff, Nottingham, Cambridge, and Stockport, as well as London England and London Ontario.
  • Doctors hope it will help to increase understanding of a range of neurological disorders and could be used instead of invasive biopsies.


Three Indian boxers enter semi-finals at Asian Youth Boxing


  • Today, the three Indian boxers advanced to the semi-finals in their respective weight categories at the Asian Youth Boxing Championships in Bangkok.
  • Now, India has six boxers (Sachin Siwach, Etash Muhammed Khan, Sachin, Naveen Boora, Ankit and Harshpreet Sahrawat) in the semi-final stage, assuring the country of at least six medals.


22nd Asian Athletics Championships inaugurated at Kalinga Stadium


  • The 22nd Asian Athletics Championships has been inaugurated at Kalinga Stadium in Odisha capital Bhubaneswar.
  • Over 1,200 athletes and officials from 44 countries in Asia will witness the sporting event which will continue until 9th of this month.
  • Around 42 track and field events will be held in the championship and 20 world champions are likely to take part.
  • The winners will qualify for the World Championship to be held from August 4 to August 13 in London.
  • India is hosting this event for the third time (1st in Delhi 1989 & 2nd in Pune 2013).

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