Daily GK Update : 17th May 2016

1. Han Kang's "The Vegetarian" wins Man Booker International Prize

South Korean author Han Kang (45-years) has won the prestigious Man Booker International Prize for her “unforgettably powerful” novel ‘The Vegetarian’ which deals with a woman’s rejection of human brutality and giving up of eating meat.
Han is the first South Korean to win the prize.The prize ceremony held at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.
The book was translated by Deborah Smith, (28-years) from Briton who only began learning Korean when she was 21.
The writer and her British translator will share the 72,000 Dollar prize money. This is the first time this year, the award went jointly to the translator.
The Vegetarian is a three-part novel that follows the story of Yeong-hye, a dutiful Korean wife who, spurred on by a dream, decides one day to become a vegetarian, something that is extremely uncommon in South Korean society.
This subversive act fractures her familial life and affects her relationships with the people around her, including her sister and her brother-in-law, an artist who becomes obsessed with her.

Note:

Man Booker International Prize is an international literary award.
The international edition of Britain's Man Booker Prize was introduced in 2005 and up to now has been awarded in recognition of a body of work by a living author whose work was written or available in English.
But from this year, it will be presented annually for a single work of fiction that has been translated into English and published in Britain.
The Man Booker International Prize is sponsored by Man Group plc, which also sponsors the Man Booker Prize for Fiction.

Quick Review:

Q:- Name of the author who has won the prestigious Man Booker International Prize for her “unforgettably powerful” novel ‘The Vegetarian’?-Han Kang

2. World Hypertension Day being observed today

The World Hypertension Day is being observed today .
The day was initiated by the World Hypertension League to increase awareness about hypertension.
The League is an umbrella to 85 national hypertension societies and leagues.
Nearly one billion people are estimated to be affected by hypertension worldwide and this figure may increase to 1.5 billion by 2025.
right treatment and lifestyle can help in containing hypertension.
One person out of every three persons in India is having high-blood pressure in India. High blood pressure or Hypertension is a big danger for health. Its impact is felt on the whole body.

Note:-

The WHL launched its first WHD on May 14, 2005. Since 2006, the WHL has been dedicating May 17 of every year as WHD.
The blood pressure during blood circulation is called blood pressure.
In 90% of people with hypertension, the cause of high blood pressure is not known and is referred to as primary or essential hypertension.
It is estimated that nearly one billion people are affected by hypertension worldwide, and this figure is predicted to increase to 1.5 billion by 2025.
Right treatment from the doctor, right advice and change in lifestyle can help in containing high blood pressure or hypertension.

Quick Review:

Q:- The World Hypertension Day is being observed on___.- 17th May.

3. India, US hold first maritime security dialogue

India and United States held their first Maritime Security Dialogue in New Delhi for deepening the evolving partnership in the maritime domain between both countries.
The first round of discussions under the recently-constituted dialogue was held between officials of India’s Defence and External Affairs Ministries and their US counterparts.
Both sides discussed various issues including naval cooperation, Asia-Pacific maritime challenges and multilateral engagement.
The other initiatives agreed include the conclusion of a “white shipping” technical arrangement to improve data sharing on commercial shipping traffic and Navy-to-Navy discussions on submarine safety and anti-submarine warfare.

Note:-

The Maritime Security Dialogue was one of the several new initiatives agreed between Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and his US counterpart Ashton Carter during the latter’s visit to India in April 2016.

Quick Review:

Q: Who is the Union Defence Minister of India?- Manohar Parrikar

4. HDFC Bank launches SmartUp

HDFC Bank Ltd. launched SmartUp, a first-of-its-kind dedicated solution for start-ups in Kolkata.
Launched in association with Nasscom, an IT and BPO industry body which is running the 10,000 Start-ups initiative, this solution is aimed at scaling up the start-up ecosystem in the country.
SmartUp is HDFC Banks tailored solution to meet all the banking requirements of start-ups, and offers banking and payment solutions, along with advisory and forex services.
Account holders can also get recommendations of a chartered accountant for tax, regulatory and compliance issues.
They also would have the opportunity to showcase products on SmartBuy to 32 million HDFC Bank customers.

Note:-

The benefits of SmartUp current account include—waiver of AMB (average monthly balance) for the first six months and extendable to 12 months, salary account for employees by waiving the minimum number of employees criteria, 'PayZapp' for business - a payment and collection solution and a dedicated relationship manager.

5. National conference on ' Gaushalas ' organised in New Delhi

A day long national conference on 'gaushalas' has been organised by the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change and Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries.
Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar has hinted on a yojna in near future under which farmers will be provided fodder free of cost for animal grazing.
The Minister underlined the need to preserve pasture land and suggested that if 500 acres of land (were available), 25 acres be set aside for growing good quality grass and fodder.
The Union Minister shared concern on smuggling of animals.
Animal welfare board has been directed to give detailed report on such incidents in two months time.
The union minister stressed on the need of proper availability of the grazing land.

Quick Review:

Q: Name of the city where National conference on 'Gaushalas' organised?- New Delhi

6. RBS to close retail banking operations in India

UK- based Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) will close down it's retail operations in the country which will resulting in shutting down of 10 branches.
The bank said it will exit it's retail operations in a phased manner.
RBS currently operates 10 retail branches in India employing 400 people.
This is part of of the bank's plan to reduce its International operations to 13 countries from the current 38.
The Global Hub India business that operates across India will continue to provide strategic support to the bank and to its customers and will continue to deliver vital bank functions for the RBS global network.

Know about RCB

The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) is one of the retail banking subsidiaries of The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc and together with NatWest and Ulster Bank, provides banking facilities throughout the UK and Ireland.
RBS has around 700 branches, mainly in Scotland though there are branches in many larger towns and cities throughout England and Wales.
The Royal Bank of Scotland and its parent, The Royal Bank of Scotland Group, are completely separate from the fellow Edinburgh based bank, the Bank of Scotland, which pre-dates The Royal Bank of Scotland by 32 years.

Quick Review:

Q:- Name of the bank who will close retail banking operations in India?- The Royal Bank of Scotland

7. JK Rowling receives highest French civilian honour

Renowned author of Harry Potter series,J K Rowling has been honored with the highest French civilian honour 'French Legion Of Honour'.
She was given honorary title by the former President of France Mr. Nicolas Sarkozy at a ceremony in Paris.
J K Rowling is a British novelist, screenwriter and film producer.

Note:-

The Legion of Honour, full name National Order of the Legion of Honour is the highest French order for military and civil merits, established 1802 by Napoléon Bonaparte.

Quick Review:

Q:- Who has been honored with the highest French civilian honour 'French Legion Of Honour'?- Mr. JK Rowling

8. Rajasthan to be 1st state to issue ads to appoint vice-chancellors

The new arrangement will replace the existing convention riddled with delays and allegations of political favoritism of direct appointment of vice-chancellors .
Governor of Rajasthan Kalyan Singh has issued a detailed guidelines for the new system.
Under the new system, a state-run university will have to invite applications by placing advertisements in two national newspapers.
Applicants must mention general personal information, educational qualification, the subject of expertise, details of work at administrative posts and academic publications.
The advertisements will also be uploaded on the university website.

Quick Review:

Q:- Who is the Governor of Rajasthan?- Kalyan Singh

9. S Y Quraishi has been awarded with an honorary fellowship in UK

Former Chief Election Commissioner S Y Quraishi has been awarded with an honorary fellowship by a UK student body to celebrate and acknowledge his contributions in shaping the present and future of India.
Deputy High Commissioner of India Dr Virender Paul bestowed the Honorary Fellowship on Quraishi at an event organised by the ‘100-Foot Journey Club’ and the ‘National Indian Students and Alumni Union’ (NISAU),UK.
Dr. Quraishi joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1971.
After holding several strategic and key positions, he rose to become the 17th Chief Election Commission of India on July 30, 2010.

10. Google launches group-sharing app Spaces on iOS, Android

Google has rolled out a Spaces application tailored to let users easily share content and commentary, group-messaging style on any topics they wish.
With Spaces, it's simple to find and share articles, videos and images without leaving the app
since Google Search , YouTube , and Chrome come built in.

11. China launches Yaogan-30 remote sensing satellite

China has successfully launched Yaogan-30 remote-sensing satellite into sun-synchronous orbit using the Long March-2D rocket.
The rocket was launched from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center located in Gobi desert in northwest China’s Gansu Province.
It was the 227th flight of the Long March rocket series and was also the second orbital launch from the Jiuquan Satellite launch Center in 2016.
It will be used for land surveys, crop yield estimates, experiments and disaster relief purposes.
The Yaogan-30 satellite was built by the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST).
The first Yaogan satellite was launched in 2006.

Long March 2-D rocket:

Long March 2-D is a two-stage rocket developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology.
The rocket is mainly used for launching satellites into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and SSO.
It can launch up to 1300 kg cargo in a 645 km SSO.

12. Australian Researchers Built World’s First Scanning Helium Microscope

The World-first scanning helium micro cope helium microscope has been built by Australian researchers.
An announcement in this regard was made by the scientists belonging to the University of Newcastle.
It would enable scientists to study human, animal and plant samples, as well as pharmaceutical drugs and computer chips in their true state.
It will be useful in major industries such as solar energy, defence, explosives and information technology.

Quick Reviews :

Q:- World-first scanning helium micro cope helium microscope has been built by___.- Australian researchers.

13. World Bank approves $625 m loan to support rooftop solar programme in India

The World Bank's Board has approved USD 625 million loan to support the central government’s programme to generate electricity from rooftop solar power plants.
The Board also approved a co-financing loan of USD 120 million on concessional terms and a USD 5 million grant from Climate Investment Fund's (CIF) Clean Technology Fund.
The project will finance the installation of at least 400 MW of grid connected rooftop solar photovoltaic (GRPV) across India.
These solar photo voltaic (PV) installations will provide clean, renewable energy and reduce GHG emissions by displacing thermal generation.

14. Archers Deepika, Bombayla, Laxmirani named for Rio Olympics

Three-member Indian women's archery team comprising Deepika Kumari, Bombayla Devi and Laxmirani Majhi has named for the Rio Olympics after a series of selection trials in the last three months.
The women's trio will compete in the individual events as well as team event at the Rio Games in August.
India's women archers earned three individual berths and a team quota by virtue of the team's performance at the World Championships in Copenhagen last year.
Archery Association of India also announced a three-member men's team consisting Jayanta Talukdar, Atanu Das, Mangal Singh Champia for the third stage World Cup in Antalya, Turkey.

Quick Review:

Q:- How many women's archery team comprising for the Rio Olympics ? - Three-member

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

GK Quiz (for previous day’s news only)Take the quiz below to find out how well-versed you are with current affairs. You can also go through the Daily GK Update:15&16thMay 2016_before attempting the quiz.

Take Quiz Now!

Read Daily GK update of 15&16th May here.