GK OF THE DAY
RUSA Scheme to be implemented to improve Equity, Quality of Higher Education An initiative to improve the Quality of Higher education in India by implementing RUSA scheme which was started in 2013 was in news again with the Minister of HRD providing information about the scheme in the Lower house. RUSA- Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan Aim –To provide strategic funding to eligible state higher educational institutions India ranked 118th in UN’s world happiness index; behind Pak, China […]
GK OF THE DAY
Suu Kyi aide Htin Kyaw elected as Myanmar’s new president Myanmar’s parliament has elected Htin Kyaw as the country’s next president, the first civilian leader after more than 50 years of military rule. Htin Kyaw is a close ally of Aung San Suu Kyi, whose National League for Democracy (NLD) party swept to victory in historic elections in November. Htin Kyaw won with 360 of the 652 votes cast in the two houses of parliament, with MPs erupting into applause when the result was announced. […]
Vocab Capsule
Praise and Criticize Praise: Express warm approval or admiration of. Synonyms: Applaud, Commend, Compliment, Eulogize, Exalt, Hail, Laud, Lionize. The actors in the play were highly applauded for their performance . Royce was commended by the judge for his courageous actions . Ashley thought it a great idea to eulogize her heroic uncle with a poem. The essay exalts the simple beauty of the country. The new drug has been widely hailed as a great breakthrough. Many people lauded her efforts to help the poor She was lionized everywhere after her novel won the Pulitzer Prize. Phrasal Verbs and Idioms associated: […]
GK OF THE DAY
UN Security Council imposes tough sanctions against North Korea over nuclear test The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) unanimously adopted the toughest sanctions ever imposed on North Korea in response to its fourth nuclear test and rocket launch. In this regard, the 15-member council passed a resolution drafted by the United States and backed by China. India ranks 90th in terms of energy security, access: WEF Report […]
Union Budget 2016 – 17
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley presented his third Union Budget for 2016-17 citing the acceleration of GDP growth to 7.6%. CPI inflation has come down to 5.4%. It was the second full year Budget of the NDA government under leadership of Prime Minister of Narendra Modi and the third budget of Arun Jaitley as Finance Minister. Union Finance minister has announced 9 pillars of the budget. They are rural sector, social sector including healthcare, education, skills and job creation, Agriculture and farmers’ welfare, Infrastructure, ease of doing business, financial sector reforms, fiscal discipline, tax reforms to reduce compliance burden. Highlights of Union Budget 2016-17 Tax Infrastructure and agriculture cess to be levied. Excise duty raised from 10 to 15 per cent on tobacco products other than beedis. 1 per cent service charge on purchase of luxury cars over Rs. 10 lakh and in-cash purchase of goods and services over Rs. 2 [...]
88th Academy Awards
The 88th Academy Awards ceremony, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), honored the best films of 2015 and took place on February 28, 2016 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles. The list of winners of 88th Academy Awards: Best Picture: Spotlight Best Director: Alejandro González Iñárritu for The Revenant Best Actor: Leonardo DiCaprio for The Revenant Best Actress: Brie Larson for Room Best Supporting Actor: Mark Rylance for Bridge of Spies Best Supporting Actress: Alicia Vikander for The Danish Girl Achievement in Costume Design: Mad Max: Fury Road Best Foreign Language Film: Son of Saul (Hungary) Best Live Action Short Film: Stutterer Best Documentary Short Subject: A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness Best Original Screenplay: Spotlight Best Documentary Feature Film: Amy Achievement in Sound Mixing: Mad Max: Fury Road Achievement in Sound Editing: Mad Max: Fury Road Achievement in Visual Effects: [...]
GK of the day (28 & 29 Feb)
Vinod Rai becomes first chairman of Banks Board Bureau Former Comptroller & Auditor General of India Vinod Rai has been named the first chairman of Banks Board Bureau (BBB), which will help the government appoint heads of public sector banks and advice on banking reforms. […]
Highlights of Railway Budget
Railway Budget for the fiscal year 2016-17 has been presented by Union Minister of Railways Suresh Prabhu On 25th February 2016. Highlights of Railway Budget: […]
GK OF THE Day
Ex-CJI HL Dattu selected as new Chairman of NHRC Union Government has selected former Chief Justice of India (CJI) H L Dattu as new Chairman of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). He will succeed Mr. K.G. Balakrishnan who had demitted office after his five-year term ended in May 2015. Since then Justice C Joseph is functioning as the acting Chairman. India, Brazil and South African conduct Joint Naval Exercise at Goa – IBSAMAR-V […]
69th British Academy Film Awards: 2016
The 69th British Academy Film Awards ("BAFTAs") were held on 14 February 2016 at the Royal Opera House in London to honour the best British and international contributions to film in 2015. 69th Annual BAFTA Awards 2016 Best Film: The Revenant. Outstanding British Film: Brooklyn. Best Director: Alejandro G. Iñárritu (The Revenant). Best Actor: Leonardo DiCaprio (The Revenant). Best Actress: Brie Larson (Room). Best Supporting Actor: Mark Rylance (Bridge of Spies). Best Supporting Actress: Kate Winslet (Steve Jobs). Best Original Screenplay: Tom McCarthy and Josh Singer (Spotlight). Best Adapted Screenplay: Adam McKay and Charles Randolph (The Big Short). Best Editing: Margaret Sixel (Mad Max: Fury Road). Best Cinematography: Emmanuel Lubezki (The Revenant). Best Production Design: Mad Max: Fury Road. Best Costume Design: Jenny Beavan (Mad Max: Fury Road). Best Original Music: Ennio Morricone (The Hateful Eight). Best Makeup and Hair: Damian Martin and Lesley Vanderwalt (Mad Max: Fury Road). Best [...]