GK & Current Affairs: August 14, 15, 2015

Nellore district
The Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh has become the first district in India to have highest number of e-toilets (461) in its schools. The Kerala-based Eram Scientific Solutions, the sole manufacturers of e-toilets (electronic toilets) in India, has deployed these automated and self-cleaning e-toilets in the district as part of the corporate social responsibility initiatives of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). The school model e-toilet “e-Lite14” has automatic floor wash system, automatic ceiling light, exhaust fan, in-built sensors to conserve electricity and water and an overhead water tank. It works on both solar and electric grid and is priced at Rs.1 lakh. It also has a one-year warranty and insurance coverage.

Entrepreneurship
On 69th Independence Day, Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi announced a new campaign “Start-up India, Stand up India” to encourage entrepreneurship among the youth of India. The campaign will also promote bank financing for start-ups and offer incentives to boost entrepreneurship and job creation.

NTPC
The National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) has signed two pacts with National Skill Development Fund (NSDF) and National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) for skill development training in Eastern states and Bihar. As per the a) First pact: NTPC will provide skill training to 5000 youth and women across 22 locations with special focus on the eastern states with in two years and the cost of the project is Rs 6.5 Crore. b) Second pact: NTPC will will train over 25000 candidates in services and manufacturing sectors across under-served locations in Bihar. The pact is for 5 years with a project cost of Rs. 30 crore.

Slovak Republic
India and Slovak Republic have signed MoU on technical cooperation in railway Sector. The tenure of this MoU is 2 years and it will be automatically renewed for further successive period of two years at a time. The Key factors of MoU are- a) Infrastructure building and management station development and workshop modernisation. b) Information & communication technologies especially for passenger amenities. c) Modernization of rolling stock. d) Modernization of Signaling & Telecom.

Ministry of Finance
To improve credit and minimising the political interference in the functioning of Public Sector Banks (PSBs), the Union Finance Minister Mr. Arun Jaitley has launched a seven pronged plan called Indradhanush Mission. The seven shades of Indradhanush mission viz. appointments, de-stressing PSBs, capitalisation, empowerment, framework of accountability and governance reforms in PSBs. The plan includes a capital infusion of Rs 20,000-crore and also hiring private sector executives for the first time to run public sector lenders.

Axis Bank
Axis bank has launched contactless debit, credit and multi-currency forex cards in partnership with Visa -the payments gateway company. Axis Bank would be the first bank to issue multi-currency contactless cards or ‘tap and pay’ cards which can be loaded in 15 currencies viz. Saudi Riyal, Swiss Franc, Hong Kong dollar, US dollar, Euro, British Pound, etc. As per the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)’s guidelines, banks can process contactless transactions below Rs 2,000 without a personal identification number.

Hero Cycles Limited
Mr. Om Prakash Munjal was the founder and the current chairman of Hero Cycles, who died in Ludhiana recently.

Om Prakash Rawat
Mr. Om Prakash Rawat, a former Madhya Pradesh cadre IAS officer, has been appointed as the new Election Commissioner of India. Mr. Nasim Zaidi is the current Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioner other than Mr. Om Prakash Rawa is Mr. Achal Kumar Jyoti.

Gujarat
For the first time, Chief Minister of Gujarat Ms. Anandiben Patel ban on the use of plastic in the State.

Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal, the symbol of true love and architectural brilliance, has become the first historical monument in the world to have its own Twitter account. The Twitter Account was lauched by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mr. Akhilesh Yadav.