GK Updates - 8 July | Banking Quiz

Advanced version of BrahMos missile test-fired

I.India today test-fired an advanced version of the 290-km range BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from the Odisha coast.

II.The missile was test-fired from a mobile launcher from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur at about 10.40 am, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) said.

III.The missile is capable of carrying a conventional warhead of 300 kg.

IV.“It was a developmental trial of BrahMos,” Ravi Kumar Gupta, senior defence scientist and Director, Directorate of Public Interface, DRDO, told PTI over the phone.

V.The two-stage missile, the first one being solid and the second one ramjet liquid propellant, has been inducted into the Army and Navy, and the Air Force version is in the final stages of trial, a defence official said.

Bill on Polavaram project introduced in Lok Sabha amid din

I.A bill to allow merging of some villages and mandals of Telangana with Seemandhra in a bid to deal with resettlement and rehabilitation of those displaced by the Polavaram power project was introduced in the Lok Sabha today amid a din.

II.It the first Bill to be tabled in the House by the BJP-led Government.

III.Amid disruptions by Trinamool Congress members who were shouting against the Railway Budget, the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) MPs too joined in protesting against the Bill, which seeks to replace an Ordinance promulgated in May by the Narendra Modi Government.

IV.Amid the din, Home Minister Rajnath Singh introduced the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2014, in the Lok Sabha.

V.Bhartruhari Mahtab (BJD) and Vinod Kumar Boianapalli (TRS) opposed the introduction of the Bill saying it should be withdrawn to safeguard the interest of tribal.

Eduard Shevardnadze, the ex-President of Georgia died at 86

I.Eduard Shevardnadze, the former President of Georgia died on 7 July 2014. He died after prolong illness at the age of 86.

II.He became the second President of Georgia in 1992 after disintegration of Georgia from the erstwhile Soviet Union. He had succeeded Zviad Gamsakhurdia. He was toppled in November 2003 after the Rose Revolution led by Mikheil Saakashvili.

III.He was alleged about irregularities in Parliamentary polls as well as with corruption and nepotism. However, Eduard Shevardnadze led Georgia out from the long running instability and civil war.

Alfredo Di Stefano, the Real Madrid FC legend died

I.Alfredo Di Stefano, the legend of Real Madrid Football Club, died on 7 July 2014 at the General Universatario Gregorio Maranon Hospital in Madrid. He was 88. He died after suffering a heart attack.

II.Stefano was a football player, who played for three different nations at international level but never appeared at the world cup. He played for Argentina, Colombia and Spain. Although FIFA in 1954 blocked him from playing for Spain but the decision was reversed in 1957, when Stefano gained the Spanish citizenship. Apart from this, FIFA do not officially recognised his Colombian caps.

Indian Constitution scholar Granville Austin passes away

I.Granville Austin, an eminent biographer of India’s Constitution and a Padma Shri awardee, has passed away in Washington at the age of 87.

II.Austin, author of two celebrated political histories of the Indian Constitution – The Indian Constitution: A Cornerstone of A Nation and Working A Democratic Republic: The Indian Experience, died on Sunday.

III.He was awarded the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award in India, in 2011.

IV.According to his Web site, Austin worked as a journalist/photographer and later served with the US Information Service, Department of State, Department of Health, Education and Welfare, and on the staff of a US Senator.

Raju Venkatraman is new chief of Madras Management Association

I.Raju Venkatraman, a serial entrepreneur running diagnostics company Medall Healthcare, has been elected President of Madras Management Association for the year 2014-15.

II.At its 58th Annual General Meeting, the not-for-profit management education forum elected key corporate personalities as officers bearers for the current fiscal: T Shivaraman, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Shiram EPC Ltd, is the new Senior Vice-President; Srikanth Ramanujam, Managing Director of Brakes India, will take over as Vice-President; L Ramkumar, Managing Director, Tube Investments of India, has been named Secretary; and Kavitha D Chitturi, Executive Director at The KCP Ltd, will be Treasurer.

Arjun Kapoor is Philips India brand ambassador

I.Philips India has roped in Arjun Kapoor as the brand ambassador for its ‘Male Grooming’ business, which offers a range of grooming gadgets for men, including trimmers, shavers and stylers.

II.As the brand ambassador, Arjun will help take the style revolution that Philips India has started among the youth to the next level. He will also play a pivotal role in the brand and product communication across media platforms.

Dena Bank ties up with insurer Universal Sompo for loan cover

I.To keep loan delinquencies under check, Dena Bank has entered into a tie-up with Universal Sompo General Insurance Company (USGIC) to offer loan insurance cover to individual borrowers.

II.In case of unforeseen events, such as major illnesses and medical procedures, accidental death and permanent disablement, loss of job, fire mishap and allied perils at house, leading to the borrower being unable to service the loan, USGIC’s loan secure insurance policy will pay the bank equated monthly instalments for up to three months.

Indian Railways launches Twitter, Facebook pages

I.Indian Railways, which moves over 2 crore passengers and 60 million tonne of cargo every day, launched its official page on social network platforms – Twitter, Facebook – and YouTube.

II.It has also launched a phone number – 022-45012222 – which people can dial to hear the budget.

Toll-free number soon

I.Though it is a paid service for now, the phone number will become toll free soon, according to Arvind Gupta, who is advising the Railways on its social media strategy. Gupta is an IITian who heads the BJP’s IT cell and drove the party’s social media strategy.

II.Social media was used extensively by Narendra Modi during his election campaign and continued doing so after forming the Government.

Enquiry number

I.Railways phone enquiries number – 139 – will also become toll free, said Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha.

Kvitova won the Women’s Wimbledon Tennis Open

I.Petra Kvitova of Czechslovakia on 5 July 2014 won the women’s single of Wimbledon Tennis Open of 2014. To win her second title, she defeated the Canadian Eugenie Bouchard 6-3, 6-0.

II.With this win, Kvitova collected a reward of 1760000 Pound and the Venus Rosewater Dish, symbol of the greatest prize in the women’s game. Kvitova won her first Wimbledon title in 2011 by defeating Maria Sharapova.

Sania Mirza ranked career-best fifth in WTA doubles rankings

I.Sania Mirza, the Indian tennis ace, along with her Zimbabwean doubles partner Cara Black on 7 July 2014 were ranked career-best fifth in the latest WTA Doubles rankings.

II.This feat was achieved by the duo after displaying some consistent results on their tour to just concluded Wimbledon championships. Their appearance in the second round fetched them crucial 130 ranking points which was enough to push them under top-5.

III.Sania, who became a professional tennis player in 2003, entered the top-five chart for the first time in her career.