DAILY GK UPDATE: 3RD JANUARY

1.Naming anti-rape law after girl an honour: Family

Note: A day after Union Minister Shashi Tharoor favoured naming the revised anti-rape law after Delhi gang-rape victim, her family members on Wednesday said they have no objection to it and the move would be an honour to the girl. “Unless her parents object, she should be honoured & the revised anti-rape law named after her. She was a human being w/a name, not just a symbol,” Tharoor said.

Asked about the financial assistance of Rs. 20 lakh announced by the Uttar Pradesh government and assistance of Rs. 15 lakh and job announced by Delhi government, the brother said though announcements have been made, they are yet to receive the assistance. The family members termed as misleading reports in the media that the girl was about to get married.

2.Y V Reddy to head 14th Finance Commission:
Finance Commission, a constitutional body, is set up every five years...

Note: Former RBI Governor Y V Reddy will be the Chairman of 14th Finance Commission; the 13th Finance Commission was headed by former Finance Secretary Vijay Kelkar.

Prior to joining RBI as its Governor in September 2003, Reddy was India's Executive Director on the Board of the International Monetary Fund.

The Finance Commission has been asked to submit its report by 31^st October, 2014. 

3.Govt forms panel to reduce expenditure in cash strapped AI:

The Committee headed by Prof. Ravindra Dholkia of IIM, Ahmedabad has been asked to submit its report within two months….

Note: Ministry of Civil Aviation has constituted a five-member committee to suggest measures for cost cutting and optimal utilization of resources in Air India.

 The Committee has also been asked to submit its interim recommendations without waiting for the final report, so that these can be implemented immediately. The Committee will analyse various cost components and identify those expenses and costs which can be abolished immediately, or reduced in phased manner. It will critically review the expenses on overseas offices including the manpower deployment and suggest measures to reduce such expenses. The Committee will also analyse all other factors which are adversely affecting the financial health of Air India and suggest plan for removing such factors. 

4.Rs 11,000 incentive for brides in Haryana:

Scheme will be implemented with effect from 1^st April 2013…

Note: Haryana govt announced that it would launch 'Kanyadan' scheme under which an incentive of Rs 11,000 will be given to brides during mass marriage ceremony organised by Red Cross Societies or any registered NGO.

Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Geeta Bhukkal said, “The scheme, aimed to check social evils like dowry”. "The expenditure on weddings could be minimised by holding mass marriages The incentive will be given irrespective of the caste, race, creed, religion or income of the beneficiaries. and it would also eradicate social evils like dowry,".

5.Violin maestro M S Gopalakrishnan passes away:

Note: Renowned violin exponent M S Gopalakrishnan, hailed for his deep knowledge of both Carnatic and Hindustani music, died in Chennai today after a brief illness. A recipient of various awards including Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri, Gopalakrishnan was an artiste having an open mind for new ideas..He is survived by wife, two daughters and a son. He was counted one among the 'violin trinity' of his times the other two being the legendary Lalgudi G Jayaraman and T N Krishnan.

6.Pakistan beat India by 85 runs in Kolkata ODI:

Third and final ODI at Ferozshah Kotla in Delhi on Sunday…

Note: An insipid India slumped to yet another series defeat with a pathetic display as arch-rivals Pakistan spanked the hosts by 85 runs in the second cricket one-dayer to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series in Kolkata on Thursday.

Riding on Nasir Jamshed's second consecutive century, the visitors posted 250 all out and then shot out the Indians for a paltry 165 to record a convincing victory with two overs to spare at the Eden Gardens. This is the first time in more than three years that India has lost a home bilateral series. Jamshed (106) notched up his third ODI century became Man of the Match.

7.Bhupathi and Canadian partner crash out of Chennai Open:

Note: The top seeded pair of Mahesh Bhupathi and Canadian Daniel Nestor were ousted from the Chennai Open ATP Tennis tournament after suffering a defeat at the hands of the unseeded Russian-American pair of Raveen Klaasen and Nicholas Monroe in the doubles quarterfinal.Bhupathi-Nestor, the favourites to win the title, suffered a shock defeat, losing 4-6, 5-7 to Klaasen-Monroe in 75 minutes in the late night encounter on Thursday.