Table of Contents
Daily GK updates are incorporated with the important news that made the current affairs headlines for banking or other competitive exams. Daily GK Update is the complete bag of the important news that held all day long. One should have complete knowledge about the banking terms, current affairs news, etc. So, here is the GK update of 18 February 2020 to help you prepare the Current affairs part. After reading this section, you can successfully attempt Current Affairs Quiz.
States News
1. ‘Pyaar ka Paudha’ campaign launched by Bihar govt
‘Pyaar ka Paudha’ (a plant of love) campaign has been launched by the Bihar government’s Department of Environment and Forest in Patna. This campaign is a small effort will be a big step towards making the Bihar land green.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Governor of Bihar: Phagu Chauhan, Chief Minister: Nitish Kumar.
2. Pinarayi Vijayan launches ”Yodhavu” mobile app to combat drug menace
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan launched “Yodhav” (Warrior) mobile app (application) at Kochi, Kerala. Through this app, the public can inform police about drug abuse and its distribution. The application was introduced by the Kochi city police and the informer’s identity could be kept secret.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Governor of Kerala: Arif Mohammed Khan.
- Capital of Kerala: Thiruvananthapuram.
3. PM Modi inaugurates ‘Kashi Ek Roop Anek’ exhibition in Varanasi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated cultural arts and handicrafts exhibition named ‘Kashi Ek Roop Anek’ organized at Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. ‘Kashi Ek Roop Anek’ showcased products from over 10,000 artisans from all over Uttar Pradesh. In this event, the Uttar Pradesh government had launched the ambitious scheme ‘One District, One Product’ (ODOP) in which one craft per district was identified.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Anandiben Patel is the current Governor of Uttar Pradesh.
- Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath.
4. PM Modi launch 50 development projects worth over Rs 1200 crore in Varanasi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched 50 development projects worth over 1,200 crore rupees at Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. These projects include a 430-bed super speciality Government hospital, a 74-bed psychiatry hospital and Centre for Vedic Research at Kashi Hindu Vishwavidyalaya (BHU), at BHU. PM Modi will also inaugurate the Chaukaghat Lehartara Overbridge in the city which will ease the traffic near the railway station.
PM Modi also flagged off the Kashi Mahakaal Express to link Varanasi, Ujjain and Omkareshwar and dedicated to the nation the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Memorial Centre. At Pandav area of Chandauli district, Prime Minister also unveiled the 63 feet Statue of Pt Deendayal Upadhyaya. This is the largest statue of the leader in the country.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Anandiben Patel is the current Governor of Uttar Pradesh.
- Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath.
Appointments
5. Vinay Dube becomes GoAir new CEO
GoAir has appointed Vinay Dube, the former chief executive officer (CEO) of Jet Airways, as its new CEO. He will be responsible for the management of the airline and also for meeting the goals and long-term growth objectives of the company. The budget airline did not have a CEO since the departure of Cornelis Vrieswijk in March last year.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- GoAir Managing Director: Jeh Wadia.
- GoAir Headquarters: Mumbai.
Agreements
6. India signs USD 450 million loan agreement with World Bank
The Goverment of India has signed USD 450 million loan agreement with the World Bank. The loan agreement of USD 450 million aims to support the national programme “Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABHY): National Groundwater Management Improvement Programme”. It will help the Union Government to curb the country’s depleting groundwater levels along with strengthening of the groundwater institutions.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- President of World Bank: David Robert Malpass.
Awards
7. 20th Laureus Awards 2020 announced in Berlin
The Laureus World Sports Awards is an annual award ceremony honouring individuals and teams from the world of sports along with sporting achievements throughout the year. It was established in 1999 by Laureus Sport for Good Foundation founding patrons Daimler and Richemont. This is the 20th anniversary of the prestigious Laureus Award which celebrates the best in the world of sport. The event was held in Berlin, Germany.
British F1 ace Lewis Hamilton and Lionel Messi were declared the joint winners of the prestigious Laureus World Sportsman of the year award in Berlin. The duo received the same number of votes, a first in the 20-year history of the awards with the jury unable to split Hamilton and Messi.
Below is the complete list of winners of Laureus World Sports Awards:
| S. No. | Award | Name Winner |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Laureus World Sportsman of the Year: | Lewis Hamilton and Lionel Messi |
| 2 | Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year | Simone Biles |
| 3 | Laureus World Team of the Year | South Africa Men’s Rugby Team |
| 4 | Laureus Best Sporting Moment | Carried on the shoulders of a nation’ – Sachin Tendulkar |
| 5 | Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year | Egan Bernal |
| 6 | Laureus World Comeback of the Year | Sophia Flörsch |
| 7 | Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability | Oksana Masters |
| 8 | Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year: | Chloe Kim |
| 9 | Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award: | Dirk Nowitzki |
| 10 | Laureus Academy Exceptional Achievement Award | Spanish Basketball Federation |
| 11 | Laureus Sport for Good Award | South Bronx United |
Defence
8. India to have 1st “Integrated Tri-services Command” by year 2020
The Chief of the Defence staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat has announced the plan of establishing the first Integrated Tri-Services Command. The Integrated Tri-Services Command will be responsible for handing the air defence of the entire country. The command is expected to be established by June 2020. The planned Integrated Tri-Services command will be headed by an Indian Air Force (IAF) officer.
Economy
9. Moody’s cuts India’s 2020 GDP growth forecast to 5.4%
Moody’s Investors Service has cut India’s 2020 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth forecast to 5.4% from 6.6% and the next financial year (2020-21) growth rate estimate to 5.8% from 6.7%. According to Moody’s, due to the spread of novel coronavirus outbreak in China, worldwide growth will be affected and hence India’s economic growth recovery will be slow.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Moody’s founded: 1909.
- Moody’s founder: John Moody.
- Moody’s headquarters: New York, United States.
- Moody’s CEO: Raymond W. McDaniel Jr.
Summit and Conferences
10. Difficult Dialogues 2020 began in Goa
The 5th edition of Difficult Dialogues began in Panji, Goa. Difficult Dialogues (DD) is an annual forum examining issues of contemporary relevance in South Asia. Difficult Dialogues 2020 will focus on the “State of Law”.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Pramod Sawant is the 13th and current Chief Minister of Goa.
- Satya Pal Malik is present Governor of Goa.
11. 3rd Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety 2020
The 3rd edition of the Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety will be held in Stockholm, Sweden on February 19-20, 2020. The Third Global Ministerial Conference (Ministerial Conference) aims to reach high-level consensus for continued global road safety targets and collaboration up to 2030. The theme of the two-day conference is Achieving Global Goals 2030.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Capital of Sweden: Stockholm; Currency of Sweden: Swedish krona.
12. All India Conference of CAT 2020 held in New Delhi
The annual All India Conference of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) was held in New Delhi. The conference was attended by Judicial and Administrative Members from all 17 Benches of CAT from across the country, members of the CAT Bar Association and eminent Jurists, who deliberated on key issues related to the functioning of the Tribunal and priorities for 2020. The Conference was presided over by Union Minister for Law and Justice, Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad.
Science and Technology
13. ISRO to launch 10 Earth Observation Satellites in 2020-21
The Indian Space Research Organisation has revealed in its annual report for 2019-20 that it will launch 10 Earth Observation Satellites in 2020-21. The 10 earth observation (EO) satellites will include categories such as the first Geo Imaging Satellite, GISAT-1 along with three communication satellites and two navigation satellites.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- ISRO Director: K. Sivan, Headquarters: Bengaluru; Established: 1969.
Sports
14. NADA bans Haryana’s javelin thrower Amit Dahiya for 4 years
The National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) has imposed a ban of 4 years on Haryana’s javelin thrower Amit Dahiya. He has been banned for avoiding sample collection and for his attempt of trying to cheat officials during the 2nd National Javelin Throw Open Championship 2019 held at SAI Centre in Sonipat. The Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel (ADDP) of the National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) took the landmark decision of banning the player for 4 years.
15. Delhi host Asian Wrestling Championship 2020
Asian Wrestling Championship 2020 starts in New Delhi. It will be held at the KD Jadhav Hall of Indira Gandhi Stadium. The event will have a total of 30 weight classes, 10 each in Freestyle Men, Women, and Greco Roman.
16. ‘United by Emotion’ chosen as Tokyo 2020 Olympics motto
The Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee has revealed the official Games motto: “United by Emotion”. The motto emphasises the power of sport to bring together people from diverse backgrounds of every kind and allow them to connect and celebrate in a way that reaches beyond their differences.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- International Olympic Committee Headquarters: Lausanne, Switzerland.
- International Olympic Committee President: Thomas Bach.
17. Koneru Humpy wins Cairns Cup chess tournament
India’s Koneru Humpy wins Cairns Cup chess tournament held at St.Louis, US (United States). She won the title after finishing 6 points off 9 rounds. Reigning world champion Ju Wenjun finished with 5.5 points secured 2nd place while Russia’s Alexandra Kosteniuk came 3rd who finished with 5 points followed by Ukranian Mariya Muzychek with 5 points and India’s Harika Dronavalli secured 5th with 4.5 points.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Saint Louis Chess club will host the Cairns Cup, an elite-level tournament for the top female players around the world.
Miscellaneous
18. Ambala City bus stand to be renamed after late Sushma Swaraj
The Haryana government has decided to rename the Ambala City bus stand after former Union minister late Sushma Swaraj. The bus stand will now be called ‘Sushma Swaraj Bus Stand’. It is a mark of tribute to Swaraj, launched on 14 February, the birth anniversary of the leader, who was born in Ambala Cantt.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Governor of Haryana: Satyadeo Narayan Arya.
- Chief Minister (CM) of Haryana: Manohar Lal Khattar.
19. Radhakishan Damani becomes India’s 2nd richest person
Avenue Supermarts, which is doing business as D-Mart, founder Radhakishan Damani has now become the 2nd richest Indian after Reliance Industries Ltd chairman Mukesh Ambani, with a net worth of $17.8 billion.
20. GoI renames IDSA as ‘Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses’
The Union government has decided to rename ‘The Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses’ (IDSA) as ‘Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses’. The decision has been taken to honour late Manohar Parrikar, former defence minister and Padma Bhushan awardee.
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