DAILY GK UPDATE 30TH APRIL

1.   Birth anniversary of Dadasaheb Phalke today

i. The 143rd birth anniversary celebration of the father of Indian Cinema, Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, popularly known as Dadasaheb Phalke will mark the end of the six day long Centenary Film Festival which was held in Siri Fort Anniversary, New Delhi from 25th April.

ii. A Play on the life and times of Dadasaheb Phalke by Aamir Raza Hussain will stage on 30^th April.

iii. Dhundiraj Govind Phalke was born on 30^th April 1870. Phalke was a visionary gifted enough to foresee the awesome potential of the film medium almost a century ago.

iv. Starting with his debut film, Raja Harishchandra in 1913, now known as India's first full-length feature, he made 95 movies and 26 short films in his career spanning 19 years, till 1937, including his most noted works: Mohini Bhasmasur (1913), Satyavan Savitri (1914), Lanka Dahan (1917), Shri Krishna Janma (1918) and Kaliya Mardan (1919).

v. The Dadasaheb Phalke Award, for lifetime contribution to cinema, was instituted in his honor by the Government of India in 1969.

vi. The award one of the most prestigious awards in Indian cinema and is the highest official recognition for film personalities in the country.

vii. Dadasaheb Phalke was expired on 16^th February 1944.

viii. For the year, the prestigious award will be given to Pran Krishan Sikand, popularly known as, Pran.

2.    Indian economy to grow at 6.1 per cent FY’14: World Bank

i. World Bank on Tuesday scaled down India’s growth forecast to 6.1 per cent for the current fiscal from 7 per cent projected six months ago.

ii. The decline in the growth forecast is largely due to the decline in agriculture sector which is expected to grow at 2 per cent during 2013-14 against the previous estimate of 2.7 per cent despite normal monsoon projection.

iii. As per the latest India Development Update of the World Bank, Indian economy would grow by 6.1 per cent in 2013-14 on account of robust domestic demand, strong savings and investment rate.

iv. According to the Update, a twice yearly report on the Indian economy and its prospects, GDP growth during 2012-13 would be around 5 per cent, lowest in the decade.

v. Last week, Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory panel had pegged the growth rate for the current fiscal at 6.4 per cent.

vi. The current Update also focused on India’s march towards universal health coverage and its fiscal implications.

3.    Netherlands gets its first King in more than 100 years

i. King Willem-Alexander became the first Dutch male monarch in more than a century as his mother, Queen Beatrix, abdicated to end a 33-year reign.

ii. With her abdication, she becomes Princess Beatrix and her son ascends the throne as King Willem-Alexander. He is the first Dutch king since Willem III died in 1890.

4.    Gulzar appointed chancellor of Assam University

i. Eminent poet, lyricist and director Sampooran Singh Kalra, popularly known by his pen name Gulzar, has taken over as the new chancellor of Assam University, Silchar.

ii. Gulzar (79) replaced Prof M S Swaminathan, an Indian geneticist and chairman of MS Swaminathan Research Foundation, after his five-year tenure ended last week.

iii. Assam Universityvice chancellor Somnath Dasgupta on Monday said President Pranab Mukherje has been pleased to appoint Gulzar for the top job of the central varsity for a term of 5 years on April 25.

iv. Established in 1994, the Assam University campus is situated in Dargakona, about 20 km from Silchar.

5.    Haryana Govt. raises cooking cost under Mid Day Meal Scheme

i. The Haryana government on 29 April 2013 raised the cooking cost given under Mid Day Meal Scheme to all primary and upper primary schools in Haryana by 7.5 per cent.

ii. Now the cooking gas cost would now be 3.34 rupees per dayper student in all primary schools and 5rupees per day per student in all upper primary schools

iii. If we compare it with earlier cooking cost it was 3.11 per day per student in all primary schools and 4.65 Rupees per day per student in all upper primary schools.

Note: i. It is important here to note that over 20.88 lakh students were being covered under the Scheme in the state which includes over 13.72 lakh of primary schools, over 7.08 lakh of upper primary schools and 7453 students under National Child Labour Project.

ii. Also, a sum of 352 crore rupees has been allotted for Mid Day Meal Scheme for the currentfinancial year 2013-14. 

iii. Cooking cost basically include cost of items like fuel, vegetables and ghee being used for cooking Mid Day Meal.

6.    Goa Government launched Krishi Card for Farmers

i. Goa Government on 29 April 2013 launched a digital Krishi Card which is supposed to help farmers in making use of benefits such as subsidies and loans given by the State Government.

ii. The Digiltal Krishi card was officially launched by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar which is based on the database created by the State Agriculture Department at Porvorim.

iii. The introduction of the digitally coded card is a landmark and is going to spare farmers from the need of repeatedly producing documents to gain subsidies.

Note:  i. It is important here to note that around 10000-15000 farmers with clear land holdings would benefit from the card during the first phase, followed by landless agriculturists.

ii. The next major initiative of the Government of Goa will be introduction of similar cards for fishermen and dairy farmers; the cards have been conceptualized by the State-run Goa Electronic Ltd.

Benefits of the Digital Krishi Card

i. A loan of up to 30000 rupees per annum for farmers owning a minimum of one hectare would be made available through various financial institutions to be empanelled by the Government.

ii. The card would also make farmers eligible for loans depending on their land holding.

iii. Earlier framers had to go through the confusion of submitting documents such as affidavits every time they applied for agro subsidies.With the launch of Digital Krishi Card they will have to quote the Unique Identity Number to get access to the subsidy.

iv. The card would not be a legal document if the farmer or tenant wants to stake his claim over the land.

7.    Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka emerged Volleyball Champions

i. Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka emerged volleyball champions at the 18th National Games for the Deaf at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bangalore on 28 April 2013.

ii. Andhra Pradesh defeated Tamil Nadu 25-22, 25-19, 25-19 in the men’s final

iii. While in women’s category Karnataka defeated Andhra Pradesh 25-10, 19-25, 15-7 to win the title.

iv. The 18th National Games for the deaf took place after a 17-year gap. It was participated by 21 Indian states.

8.    MI’s 4-run victory over Kings XI Punjab 

i. Captain Rohit Sharma's scintillating batting made all the difference in the end as Mumbai Indians beat Kings XI Punjab by a narrow four runs in a nail-biting Pepsi IPL clash in Mumbai on Monday. 

ii. Opting to bat, Sharma led from the front with a blistering unbeaten 79 off just 39 balls as Mumbai posted a challenging 174 for three before Punjab were bowled out for 170 in the match that went down the wire.

iii. David Miller (56 off 34 balls) and later Praveen Kumar (24 off 15 balls) kept Punjab in the hunt till the end before the latter was out in the last ball of the innings in the match which kept the full-house crowd at the Wankhede Stadium on the edge of their seats throughout.

iv. For Mumbai, Harbhajan was the pick of the bowlers as he grabbed three wickets for 14 runs while Mitchell Johnson, Dhawal Kulkarni and Pragyan Ojha took two wickets each.

v. With their third straight victory and second at home, Mumbai remained firmly in the hunt for a berth in knock-out phase as they jumped to fourth place with 12 points from nine matches. Punjab are now on sixth spot with eight points from nine matches.