21st July 2015 Current Affair Updates | Daily GK Download
1.
India and Russia signed an agreement in defence sector. In a move
aimed at boosting India’s defence sector, 200 helicopters will be
manufactured in the country with Russian collaboration as part of
intensification and diversification of their strategic ties. According
to Indian Ambassador to Russia P.S. Raghavan the agreement is one of the
several new defence projects on which the two countries are working on,
including under the ambit of ‘Make in India’ programme.
2.
With bilateral trade extremely low, India and Russia have initiated
steps to remove the hindrances and boost commerce by signing an
agreement in the area of customs and moving to liberalize business
visas. The bilateral trade during the last year was just $9.51 billion.
The two countries have fixed a trade target of $30 billion to be
achieved by 2025.
3.
The Kerala Tourism has bagged this year's Pacific Asia Travel
Association (PATA) award for its Muziris Heritage Project in the
'Heritage & Culture' category. The award, sponsored by the Macau
Government Tourism Office (MGTO), went to the Muziris Heritage Project
for its conservational efforts, uniqueness and impact on local
community. The flagship project of the government of Kerala is one of
the biggest heritage conservation projects of modern India.
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| 21st July 2015 Current Affair Updates | Daily GK Download |
4.
French Formula One driver Jules Bianchi (25), who sustained serious
head injuries at last year’s Japanese Grand Prix, passed away. He was in
coma for last 9 months. He was racing for F1 team Marussia at this
Grand Prix. He sustained critical head injuries in the Japanese Grand
Prix at Suzuka in October 2014.
5.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) retained its India GDP growth
projection for FY 2015-16 at 7.8 percent and 8.2 percent in 2016-17, but
cautioned that delay in reforms relating to land acquisition and GST
could hamper growth. Indian economy grew 7.3 percent in 2014-15. ADB,
however, has cut its growth forecast for developing Asia to 6.1 percent
from the earlier 6.3 percent.
6.
The French government has knighted veteran South African freedom
fighter Ahmed Kathrada for his life-long service to the community. The
award is part of the National Orders of the Legion of Honour established
by Napoleon Bonaparte in May 1802. Kathrada, 85, became the confidante
of anti-apartheid icon and former South African president Nelson
Mandela.
7.
Prashant Pathrabe was appointed as the new Director of Pune-based
Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) by the Union Govt.
Prashant Pathrabe is the Director of National Film Archive of India
(Pune) and he has been given the charge of FTII Director as additional
charge. Pathrabe, an MBA from IIM, Ahmedabad joined the Indian
Information Service in 1993. He replaced D.J. Narain.
8.
An Indian-origin doctor has received the honorary fellowship by one
of the leading British Universities for his contribution to the
community as a general practitioner and medical educator. 77-year-old
Shiv Pande has been awarded an honorary fellowship of the University of
Central Lancashire.
9.
The Reserve Bank of India signed a special currency swap agreement
with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka that will allow the latter to draw up
to $1.1 billion. Under the arrangement, the Sri Lankan bank can draw up
to $1.1 billion for a maximum period of six months. Earlier in March,
RBI had signed a Currency Swap Agreement with the Central Bank of Sri
Lanka for $400 million under the existing SAARC Currency Swap Framework
within the overall limit of $2 billion.
