26-27 January 2017 - Daily Current Affairs

26-27 January 2017 - Daily Current Affairs

Honours & Awards

Jyoti Prakash Nirala honored with Ashok Chakra posthumously

• President Ram Nath Kovind awarded India's highest peacetime military decoration Ashok Chakra posthumously to Indian Air Force (IAF) Corporal Jyoti Prakash Nirala (from Bihar).
• Mr. Nirala laid down his life after gunning down two terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir.
• The award was received by Corporal Nirala's wife Sushmanand and his mother Malti Devi at the majestic Rajpath.
• These awards include Kirti Chakra (1), Shaurya Chakras (14), Param Vishisht Seva Medals (28), Uttam Yudh Seva Medals (4), Ati Vishisht Seva Medals (51), Yudh Seva Medals (10) Vishisht Seva Medals (122).
• The Kirti Chakra was conferred on Major Vijayant Bist for foiling infiltration bid in Kashmir.

Padma Awards 2018

• President Ram Nath Kovind has announced the names of recipients (85 persons) of the year 2018 Padma awards, Padma Vibhushan (3), Padma Bhushan (9), and Padma Shri (73).

• Out of these selected 85 persons, women (14), while 3 are posthumous awardees.

• The country’s highest civilian awards Padma Awards has given in various disciplines-art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, etc.
• Padma Vibhushan (Second-highest civilian award): awarded for exceptional and distinguished service.

Winner	Category
Ilayaraja	Art-Music
Ghulam Mustafa Khan	Art-Music
Parameswaran Parameswaran	Literature & Education

•  Padma Bhushan (Third highest civilian award): awarded for distinguished service of high order. 

Winner	Category
Pankaj Advani	Sport (Billiards/Snooker)
Mahendra Singh Dhoni	Sports (Cricket)
Ved Prakash Nanda	Literature and Education
Alexander Kadakin (Foreigner/Posthumous)	Public Affairs
Laxman Pai	Art (Painting)
Arvind Parikh	Art (Painting)
Sharda Sinha	Art (Painting)
Philipose Mar Chrysostom	Others (Spiritualism)
Ramachandran Nagaswamy	Others (Archaeology)

• Padma Shri (fourth highest civilian award):  in the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan.
• Padma Awards were instituted in 1954 to be awarded to citizens of India in recognition of their distinguished contribution in various spheres of activity including the Arts, Education, Industry, Literature, Science, Sports, Medicine, Social Service and Public Affairs.

National Affairs

Kolkata becomes first Indian metro to get a floating market

• West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has inaugurated Indian’s first Metro Floating Market located on the eastern fringes of Kolkata.
• The market will be located on a water-body with boats doubling up as shops.
• It will host at least 114 boats, each one accommodating two shops.
• The market will remain open from 6 am to 9 pm on all days, with a break in the afternoon.

Punjab CM launches MGSVY for distressed sections of society

• The Chief Minister of Punjab Amarinder Singh has launched 'Mahatma Gandhi Sarbat Vikas Yojana'(MGSVY), aimed at the inclusive growth of the distressed sections of the society.
• The objective of the programme was to give the distressed sections the help they need, socially or economically or psychologically.

India & Vietnam release first-ever Commemorative Stamps

• India and Vietnam have released first ever set of commemorative postage stamps to mark the long-term friendly bilateral relationships between the two countries.
• The two set of stamps released carry picture of Sanchi Stupa and Thien Mu Pagoda.

Bharat Parv begins at Red Fort in Delhi

• Tourism Secretary Rashmi Verma has inaugurated the six-day cultural extravaganza Bharat Parv at the Red Fort in Delhi, As part of the Republic Day celebrations.
• The objective of the event is to generate a patriotic mood, promote the rich cultural diversity of the country and to ensure wider participation of the general public.
• Choreographed Folk and Tribal Dances and Music from the different States will be showcased during cultural programmes.
• Bharat Parv will remain open for public from 12 Noon to 10 PM until 31st of this month.

Obituaries

Veteran Bengali film actress Supriya Devi passes away

• Veteran Bengali film actress Supriya Devi (85-year) passed away in Kolkata.
• She had made her debut in Uttam Kumar-starer 'Basu Parivar' (in 1952) and never looked back after 'Sonar Harin' opposite Uttam Kumar (in 1959).
• 'Chowringhee', 'Bagh Bandi Khela' and 'Meghe Dhaka Tara' were among her classics.
• She received the Padma Shri and West Bengal government's highest civilian award Banga Vibhushan, besides the Filmfare East Lifetime Achievement Award.

International Affairs

China to set up international courts to deal with BRI cases

• China has decided to set up three international courts to deal with disputes related to its multi-billion Dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
• The Chinese Supreme People's Court will set up international courts in Beijing, Xi'an, the capital of Shaanxi Province and Shenzhen.
• The Xi'an court in Northwest China will handle cases related to the Silk Road and the Shenzhen court in South China with those related to Maritime Silk Road disputes.
• The courts will weigh litigation, arbitration, and mediation, providing legal support and solving initiative disputes.
• The BRI focuses on connectivity and cooperation between Eurasian countries, primarily with China.

Heavy fine on foreign vessels for fishing in Sri Lankan waters

• According to Sri Lanka’s Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Mahinda Amaraweera, Sri Lanka has increased by over 100 times the fine on foreign vessels to deter them from fishing in its waters.
• Now, any foreign fishing vessels entering Sri Lankan waters would be subject to a minimum fine of 6 million Sri Lankan Rupees and a maximum of 175 million Sri Lankan Rupees.

Note:

• The Foreign Fisheries Boats Regulation Act aims to prevent illegal fishing activities in the Sri Lankan waters and protect the fisheries and aquatic resources of the country's coastal belt.

Banking & Finance

Small Finance and Payments banks to offer Atal Pension Yojana

• The union govt has allowed Small Finance Banks and Payments Banks to offer Atal Pension Yojana (APY).
• Ten Small Finance Banks and 11 Payment Banks have got the license from Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to start banking operations in the country.
• The Banks includes Ujjivan Small Finance Bank, Janalakshmi Small Finance Bank, Suryoday Small Finance Bank, India Post Payment Bank and Paytm Payment Bank.

Note:

• The scheme is available to the people in the age group of 18 to 40 years.
• Under the scheme, a subscriber would receive a minimum guaranteed pension of Rs. 1,000 to 5,000 per month from the age of 60 years depending upon the contribution.
• At present, over 84 lacs subscribers are registered under the APY scheme with an asset base of more than 3,194 crore rupees.