Important Current Affairs 16th April 2018

Important Current Affairs 16th April 2018

✅LED bulbs under UJALA scheme to be Star rated

All new LED bulbs distributed under the UJALA scheme after July 1 will have to be BEE Star Rated.This move is being implemented in a bid to weed out poor quality bulbs that have pilfered into the government’s LED distribution programme run by Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL).The BEE Star Rating will add another layer of quality check for the bulbs being distributed.

✅GNFC’s Neem project in UP

Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizers & Chemicals Limited (GNFC) started its socio-economic Neem Project in Amethi District, Uttar Pradesh.GNFC intends to collect 8,000 to 10,000 MT Neem seeds from the State.Using Neem as a key ingredient, GNFC has started producing Neem oil-based products such as Neem soap, handwash, shampoo etc.

✅East Godavari with complete LED street light

East Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh is all set to become the country’s first ‘LED street light district’.The rural LED street lighting programme in the district entailing the installation of around 3.1 lakh LED street lights has been completed.The Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL) is supporting the LED project which has been completed in five months.

✅India to launch gas trading hub

The government plans to launch a natural gas trading hub by October, creating an Indian gas benchmark which will spark a surge in consumption of the cleaner-burning fuel.The establishment of a Gas Trading Hub / Exchange will further boost the consumption of natural gas in the country.The world’s biggest natural gas hub is the Henry Hub in the US state of Louisiana.

✅Bisket Jatra being celebrated in Nepal

In Nepal, the famous Bisket Jatra is being celebrated in Bhaktapur and other parts of Kathmandu valley.The nine day annual festival marks beginning of Nepali new year.The Jatra begins four days before the start of new year.The main attraction of Bisket Jatra is chariot procession of Lord Bhairavanath.

✅7th edition of Home Expo India 2018 began

The 7th edition of Home Expo India 2018 began on 16th April at India Expo Centre and Mart in Greater Noida.The Expo is one of leading business-to-business shows where a wide range of tableware, home textiles, kitchenware, houseware and bathroom accessories are displayed.Home Expo India 2018 is being organized by the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts.

✅Scientists developed device that mimics brain

A team of scientists at Northwestern University, USA, led by an Indian, has developed an electronic device that can mimic the human brain.This device named “memtransistor” combines the functions of a memristor and a “transistor”.The memtransistor has tremendous potential in Artificial Intelligence (AI), which requires unprecedented analytical and computational capabilities.

✅Government tied up with IIT-Delhi

The Ministry of Electronics and IT in partnership with IIT-Delhi is working on a switch-based device in cars and buses to aid safety of women.The proposed panic switch system when invoked will generate a loud alarm in the vehicle which will attract public attention.The system will include features such as authenticating the driver of the vehicles and a camera interface.

✅Odisha’s second longest river bridge opened

The bridge has been built over the Ib river, which is a tributary of Mahanadi river, in Sambalpur district.The 2.5-km-long bridge, which is the State’s second longest bridge, has been built in three years.The bridge has helped in establishing direct road connectivity between Sambalpur and Brajarajnagar and the distance has now been reduced by 50 km.

✅National Anti-Profiteering Auth. goes online

To ensure timely grievance redressal for consumers, the National Anti-Profiteering Authority (NAA) launched the Anti Profiteering online community.It was launched in association with a citizen-engagement platform, LocalCircles.The Authority has done away with the requirement of a Harmonised System of Nomenclature (HSN) code for the same.

✅China develops 3D conic device

Chinese scientists have developed a new device of 3D hollow-cone structure that can greatly increase the solar-thermal conversion efficiency.The name of the device is ‘Artificial Transpiration’ .It has a special 1D water path within it, which can reduce the energy loss in conduction.The cone structure, based on a graphene film, can collect more sunlight throughout the day.

✅WPI inflation eases to 2.47% in March

Inflation based on wholesale prices eased marginally to 2.47% in March on cheaper food articles, especially pulses and vegetables.On the basis of Wholesale Price Index (WPI), inflation was 2.48% in February and 5.11% in March last year.Retail inflation, as per data released last week, slipped to a five-month low of 4.28% in March on account of decline in food prices.

✅Himachal marks 71st foundation day

Himachal Pradesh on 15th April celebrated its 71st foundation day.On the occasion, personnel of state police, home guards, Services Selection Board (SSB) and National Cadet Corps cadets took out a parade.The CM awarded the best performers in the field of administration, sports, health and social work.

✅Lifetime Achievement Award for Dharmendra

Veteran actor Dharmendra and filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani will be conferred with the prestigious Raj Kapoor Lifetime Achievement and Raj Kapoor Special Contribution awards.Veteran Marathi actor Vijay Chavhan will receive the V Shantaram Lifetime Achievement award.Actor-director Mrinal Kulkarni has been named for V Shantaram Special Contribution awards.

✅RBI tightens Liberalised Remittance Scheme

The Reserve Bank tightened reporting norms for the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) under which an individual can transfer up to USD 2,50,000 abroad in a year.The LRS transactions are currently permitted by banks based on the declaration made by the remitter.The scheme was introduced on February 4, 2004, with a limit of USD 25,000.

✅Indian Mobile Congress to open on October 25

India is going to host its second India Mobile Congress between 25-27 October at Delhi.The India Mobile Congress 2018 will be hosted by the Department of telecommunications and the Cellular Operators Association of India.The first edition of IMC held in September 2017, was attended by around 2,000 delegates, 32,000 visitors, 152 speakers, 100 exhibitors and 100 start-ups.

✅Satwik, Chirag bag silver medal in Badminton

Shuttler duo Satwik Rankireddy and Chirag Chandrashekhar Shetty settled for silver medal in men’s doubles badminton finals in the 21st Commonwealth Games at Gold Coast.India has now won a total of 66 medals, 26 gold, 20 silver and 20 bronze medals.Host Australia and England occupy the top two spots in the medal tally with 198 and 136 medals respectively.

✅India to host India-Wiesbaden Conference

Ministry of External Affairs in cooperation with Germany and the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs will host the India-Wiesbaden Conference 2018 in Delhi on April 16-17.The conference provides an opportunity to participants to share experiences on their export control systems.India has established a legally backed robust export control system to implement ‘UNSC 1540’.

✅MoU between Indian Army & Axis Bank

A Memorandum of Undertaking (MoU) was signed between the Indian Army and the Axis Bank on the Defence Salary Package.The first MoU between Axis Bank and the Indian Army was signed in 2011 and was renewed on March 24, 2015.Recently, the Indian Army has also signed a MoU with the HDFC bank as well.

✅PM Ujwala Yojana Launched in Telangana

Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana was launched in the state of Telangana on the birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.The initiative is in line with Governments aim to eradicate energy poverty, thereby promoting economic empowerment.On 20th April 2018, ‘Ujjwala Diwas’ will be celebrated by way of PM Ujjwala Panchayats in which large number of LPG connections will be distributed.