Headlines. India to grow 7.6% in 2018: Moody s Investors Service. Kanchi seer Jayendra Saraswathi passes away.

Headlines High-level committee approves Rs 6000 crore for disaster-hit states. Government starts process to build India s first defence Quad. Country s first Aviation Multi Skill Development Centre launched in Chandigarh. Haryana cabinet approves death penalty for rape of victim aged 12 or less.

Headlines Indian Railways launch idea competition, SRIJAN to redevelop over 600 stations. 7th meeting of EPG on Nepal-India relations held in Kathmandu On 24 th and 25 th February 2018. Roger Federer wins the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year and Comeback of the Year awards at 2018 Laureus Awards. PNB appoints A K Pradhan as Group Chief Risk Officer.

Headlines India to grow 7.6% in 2018: Moody s Investors Service. Kanchi seer Jayendra Saraswathi passes away.

High-level committee approves Rs 6000 crore for disaster-hit states On February 26, 2018, a high level committee chaired by Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh approved a central assistance of around Rs 6000 crore for nine states which suffered from natural calamities during 2017-18.

Central Assistance for States that suffered Natural Calamities: Central assistance from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) amounting to Rs 1055.05 crore for Gujarat, Rs 420.69 crore for Uttar Pradesh, Rs 420.57 crore for Rajasthan and Rs 838.85 crore for West Bengal has been approved by the committee. All these states were affected by floods during 2017-18. The committee has approved assistance of Rs 1711.66 crore for Bihar, which too was affected by floods during 2017-18.

Assistance of Rs 169.63 crore has been approved for Kerala, which was affected by cyclone Ockhi while Rs 133.05 crore has been approved for Tamil Nadu which too was affected by cyclone Ockhi and North East Monsoon. Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, which were affected by kharif drought, will receive central assistance of Rs 395.91 crore and Rs 836.09 crore respectively.

Government starts process to build India s first defence Quad Union Defence Ministry has started the process to set up India s first defence industrial Quad (quadrilateral corridor) linking Chennai with four other cities of Tamil Nadu to promote industries manufacturing weapons and military equipments.

Details about India s first defence Quad : Quad project in Tamil Nadu will connect Chennai with Hosur, Coimbatore, Salem and Tiruchirappalli. Union Defence Ministry is finalising the broad contours of the project and will soon hire a top consultancy firm to prepare a detailed report.

Officials from Defence Ministry along with representatives from defence PSUs Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, Bharat Electronics Ltd. and Bharat Earth Movers will soon start interactions with defence manufacturers in Coimbatore, Salem, Chennai and Tiruchirappalli to take their views on the proposed Quad in Tamil Nadu.

In context of this news, it is important to note that while presenting Union Budget 2018, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had announced that two defence industrial production corridors will be set up in India to promote domestic defence industry. As announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the other defence industrial corridor will come up in the Bundelkhand region which shall bring an investment of Rs 20000 crore.

Country s first Aviation Multi Skill Development Centre launched in Chandigarh On February 28, 2018, Union Civil Aviation Minister, P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju inaugurated a one-of-its-kind aviation multi skill development centre in Chandigarh.

More Information about Aviation Multi Skill Development Centre: This aviation multi skill development centre in Chandigarh is a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative of Airports Authority of India (AAI) and has been set up by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and the Aerospace and Aviation Sector Skill Council of India. It is equipped with modern training infrastructure to supplement an industry-relevant course curriculum.

Over the next three years, the centre will train (free of cost) nearly 2300 students in eight aviation job roles. Quick Facts about Airports Authority of India (AAI): Founded in 1995 Headquarters New Delhi Current Chairman Dr. Guruprasad Mohapatra

Haryana cabinet approves death penalty for rape of victim aged 12 or less On February 27, 2018, Haryana State Cabinet approved a proposal to bring in legislation for awarding death penalty to those found guilty of raping girls aged 12 years or less.

This decision was taken at Haryana State Cabinet Meeting chaired by Chief Minister, Manohar Lal Khattar. As per the new legislation, individual/s found guilty of rape or gang rape of a girl up to 12 years of age, will be punished with death sentence or rigorous imprisonment of not less than 14 years which may extend to imprisonment for life, that is for remainder period of person s natural life.

The proposal that has been approved, also contains several amendments in existing criminal laws related to sexual offences. The amendments seekharsher punishments for sexual offences. Quick Facts about Haryana: Capital Chandigarh Current Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki Current Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar Important National Park Sultanpur National Park

Indian Railways launch idea competition, SRIJAN to redevelop over 600 stations On 26 th January 2018, SRIJAN (Station Rejuvenation through Joint Action), an idea competition, in a move to redevelop nearly 600 major railway stations in India, was announced at MyGov portal.

SRIJAN (Station Rejuvenation through Joint Action): SRIJAN (Station Rejuvenation through Joint Action) was launched by Indian Railway Stations Development Corporation Limited (IRSDC). All classes of people from railway passengers to architects, urban planners, engineers can submit their ideas. Last date for submission is 26 March 2018.

Railway Ministry has announced that, the winners will be awarded certificates and good ideas will be considered for implementation in the redevelopment plans for stations. IRSDC has also launched competitions for logo and tagline at the MyGov portal. Winners of logo and tagline competitions will be awarded Rs 75,000 each. Last date of submission for logo and tagline competitions is also March 26, 2018.

An open invitation has been given for all professionals to submit concept master plans for the redevelopment of the railway stations at IRSDC web portal. The last date for submission of entries for stations redevelopment is 9 March 2018. An Architect-Samvad would be held in March 2018 where Minister of Railways will discuss strategy with architects to improve the program.

About Indian Railway Stations Development Corporation Limited (IRSDC): MD & CEO Mr. S.K. Lohia Purpose to develop new stations and redevelop existing Indian railway stations

India Ranks 47th On Inclusive Internet Index 2018 India has ranked 47th out of 86 countries on Inclusive Internet Index 2018. This year s ranking marks a drop of 11 spots as compared 36 th rank in 2017.

About Inclusive Internet Index: Inclusive Internet Index is commissioned by Facebook and is conducted by The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). Inclusive Internet Index 2018 assesses the performance of countries in four categories of inclusion viz. Accessibility, Affordability, Relevance and Readiness. It covers 91% of world population residing in 86 countries.

Highlights of Inclusive Internet Index 2018: Drop in India s ranking in Inclusive Internet Index 2018 as compared to previous year has been attributed to low usage and poor quality.

Sweden has topped the overall ranking in Inclusive Internet Index 2018, followed by Singapore and United States occupying the 2 nd and 3 rd spots respectively.

7th meeting of EPG on Nepal-India relations held in Kathmandu On 24 th and 25 th February 2018, the seventh meeting of Eminent Persons Group (EPG) on Nepal-India relations was held in Kathmandu, Nepal.

7th meeting of EPG on Nepal-India relations: Issues like the 1950 Peace and Friendship treaty, trade, environment, border and hydropower were discussed in the meeting. Nepal coordinator of EPG Dr Bhekh Bahadur Thapa said that, a positive report on the issues discussed in the meeting will be submitted in a few months.

EPG s next meeting will be conducted in New Delhi. After the meeting, Dr Bhekh Bahadur Thapa and India coordinator of EPG Bhagat Singh Koshiyari said that, a report is being prepared to take bilateral relations to the next level. About Eminent Persons Group (EPG) on Nepal-India relations: Formed February 2016 Purpose to provide suggestions for updating all existing bilateral treaties and agreements between India and Nepal

Roger Federer wins the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year and Comeback of the Year awards at 2018 Laureus Awards On 27 th February 2018, Swiss tennis star Roger Federer won the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year and Comeback of the Year awards at the 2018 Laureus World Sports Awards, in Monaco.

2018 Laureus Awards: Roger Federer had won the Australian Open and Wimbledon titles in 2017. Serena Williams bagged the World Sportswoman of the Year award. She had won her 23rd grand slam in 2017.

List of award winners: Sportsman of the Year award: Roger Federer (Switzerland; Tennis) Sportswoman of the Year award: Serena Williams (USA; Tennis)

About 2018 Laureus World Sports Awards: Date 27 February 2018 Location Monaco Host Benedict Cumberbatch

PNB appoints A K Pradhan as Group Chief Risk Officer A K Pradhan has been appointed as the Group Chief Risk Officer of Punjab National Bank (PNB).

Mr. Pradhan was earlier holding the post of a General Manager. Although the functions and responsibilities of the Group Chief Risk Officer have not been disclosed by PNB, the decision for this appointment seems to be in wake of Rs 12700 crore fraud unearthed at one its branches.

In response to the PNB fraud, Union Finance Ministry has asked all the state-owned banks to scrutinise all their non-performing accounts (NPAs) of over Rs 50 crore for possible fraud and report it Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Besides, state-owned banks have also been asked to come up with a pre-emptive risk mitigation action plan within 15 days to check recurrence of frauds.

Quick Facts about PNB: Founded in 1894 Headquarters New Delhi Current MD & CEO Sunil Mehta Tagline The name you can bank upon

India to grow 7.6% in 2018: Moody s Investors Service Moody s Investors Service has stated that India s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is estimated to grow at 7.6% in the calendar year 2018.

India s Growth Forecast by Moody s: Moody s has outlined that Indian economy has started to recover from the negative impact of demonetization in November 2016 and disruption caused by Goods and Services tax (GST) roll out in July 2017. Moody s expects that sentiment in Indian economy will improve on account of measures to stabilise rural economy (announced in Union Budget 2018) and public sector bank recapitalisation plan.

Quick Facts about Moody s: Founded in 1909 Headquarters New York, US Parent Organization Moody s Corporation

Kanchi seer Jayendra Saraswathi passes away On 28 th February 2018, Kanchi acharya Sri Jayendra Saraswathi died after suffering from breathing problems, at a hospital in Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu.

Death of Jayendra Saraswathi: Jayendra Saraswathi was 82 years old. He was the 69 th head of the Kanchi mutt. He was considered one of the most influential spiritual leaders of his time. He was born in Irulneeki village of Tiruvarur district, Tamil Nadu in 1935. He became the head of the Kanchi mutt in 1994.

Some National Parks in Tamil Nadu: Mukurthi National Park Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park Guindy National Park

Quiz 1. Who is the minister of Home Affairs? a. Rajnath Singh b. Sushma Swaraj c. Smriti Irani d. None of these

2. Government starts process to build India s first defence Quad in? a. Rajasthan b. Bihar c. Uttar Pradesh d. Tamil Nadu

3. Country s first Aviation Multi Skill Development Centre launched in? a. Rajasthan b. Chandigarh c. Delhi d. Mumbai

4. Which states cabinet s approves death penalty for rape of victim aged 12 or less? a. Telangana b. Chandigarh c. Haryana d. Delhi

5. Who is the MD & CEO of Indian Railway Stations Development Corporation Limited (IRSDC)? a. Mr. M.K Gupta b. Mr. M.K Singh c. Mr. S.K. Lohia d. Mr. Ajit Kumar

6. What is India s Rank in Availability on Inclusive Internet Index 2018? a. 47 b. 37 c. 62 d. 23

7. 7th meeting of EPG on Nepal-India relations held in? a. Pokhara b. Patan c. Dharan d. Kathmandu

8. Who has been awarded as Sportswoman of the Year award 2018 Laureus Awards? a. Venus Williams b. Serena Williams c. Maria Sharapova d. None of these

9. PNB appoints as Group Chief Risk Officer? a. Sunil Mehta b. A K Pradhan c. Usha Ananthasubramanian d. None of these

10. Which National Parks is in Tamil Nadu? a. Bandipur National Park b. Periyar National Park c. Eravikulam National Park d. Guindy National Park