DAILY GK UPDATE 24TH May

1.    Malayalam to be granted status of classical language

i. Malayalam will soon be granted the status of a classical language, the Union Cabinet on Thursday approved classifying Malayalam as a 'Classical Language'

iii. Gershwin Prize is named after brothers- George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin, both of whom contributed to popular music. 

ii. The benefits extended to Classical Languages include, two major annual international awards for scholars of eminence, setting up of a Centre of Excellence for Studies in Classical Languages.

iii. Other benefits include creation of certain number of Professional Chairs for Classical Languages for scholars of eminence in classical Indian languages.

iv. The government has earlier notified Tamil, Telugu and Kannada as classical languages.

2.    Carole King Became the First Woman to Receive Gershwin Prize

i. US singer-songwriter Carole King became the first woman to receive the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.

ii. The President of America, Barack Obama conferred upon her, the Gershwin Prize that is given as a lifetime achievement in popular music.

iii. The award was given away at the White House in Washington. 

About Carole King

i. She is known most popularly for her hit songs such as Aretha Franklin's (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman. 

ii. Carole King has won the Grammy Award four times. 

iii. She became the first solo artist to sell over 10 million copies of a single album with 1971 release, Tapestry.

About the Gershwin Prize

i. The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, also known as, Gershwin Prize is conferred upon the performer or composer for lifetime contribution to popular music. 

ii. The award was created in 2007 by the Library of Congress. 

3.    A New Variety of Mango was named Nirbhaya after Delhi Rape Victim

i. A new variety of mango, harvested at Uttar Pradesh's famous mango centre Malihabad, was named Nirbhaya after the 23-year-old Delhi girl who was brutally gang-raped on  16 December 2012 and died of her injuries two weeks later.

ii. The new variety is a way of honouring the bravery and spirit of the young physiotherapist, whose rape and death galvanized the entire nation.

4.    SAARC judges meeting in Thimpu on child rights in S.Asia

i. Top judges from eight SAARC member nations today began discussion on constitutional guarantees available to children in the South Asian region and the challenges faced in enforcing child protection laws.

ii. The 12th SAARCLAW Annual Conference and the 9th SAARC Chief Justices Conference is on in Thimpu in Bhutan.

iii. Chief Justice of India Altamas Kabir is representing India in the Chief Justices' conference, while Justice B A Khan, former Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir High Court, is heading the delegation to the SAARCLAW conference.

iv. The three-day conference will discuss and deliberate upon, amongst other things, the constitutional guarantees available to children in South Asian region and challenges faced in enforcing these guarantees through judicial action.

v. The SAARC grouping consists of Sri Lanka, Bhutan, India,Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

5.    Japanese PM Abe on historic visit to Myanmar; strengthening economic ties on agenda

i. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is heading to Myanmar in the first visit by a Japanese head of government since 1977. 

ii. A business delegation will accompany Mr Abe, who is keen to strengthen economic ties with Myanmar. 

iii. Japan is a key aid donor to Myanmar, and maintained trade relations with the country during its years of rule by military junta.

iv. Mr Abe is expected to announce 980 million dollar in development aid during his visit. Mr Abe will also meet Myanmar's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who he met in Japan last month

6.    IPL: Raj Royals to clash with Mumbai Indians in second qualifier

i. Rajasthan Royals will clash with Mumbai Indians in the second qualifier of the IPL Twenty-20 cricket tournament today.

ii. The match will be played at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata at 8 PM. 

iii. Today's match will decide, who will take on Chennai Super Kings in the summit clash at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday.

iv. Chennai had stormed into the finals, after beating Mumbai Indians by 48 runs in the first Qualifier at Delhi.

v. Both, Mumbai and Rajasthan have won a match apiece in the two matches played between them in this sixth edition of IPL.

7.    ICC to withdraw umpire Asad Rauf from Champions Trophy

i. The International Cricket Council has decided to withdraw elite panel umpire Asad Rauf from the ICC Champions Trophy 2013 that will be staged in England and Wales next month. 

ii. According to the ICC, the decision has been made following media reports on Wednesday indicating that the umpire was under investigation by Mumbai Police. 

iii. ICC Chief Executive David Richardson said that in the wake of reports that the Mumbai Police are conducting an investigation into Asad Rauf’s activities, we feel that it is in Asad’s best interests as well as those of the sport and the event itself, that he is withdrawn from participating in the ICC Champions Trophy.

8.    500 tickets for Arthur Road jail staff for Policegiri !

i. Even though the actor is now a convict at Pune's Yerawada Central jail, we hear that just before he was shifted from Arthur Road jail, he thought of a special gesture for the staff at the Mumbai prison.

ii. Dutt requested the producers of his next, 'Policegiri', to show the film to the staff and inmates at the jail.

iii. Confirming the news, co-producer Rahul Aggarwal said that as per Sanju's request, they are giving 500 tickets to the jail's staff. "Sanju said he wanted them to see him play the role of a cop," he said.