Current Affairs 24th April 2014

Current Affairs 24th April 2014

Updated : 24-Apr-2014

Current Affairs 24th April 2014 - Important Points
Current Affairs 24th April 2014 - Details
Congress leader and IPL Chairman Ranjib Biswal took oath as new Rajya Sabha MP
IPL Chairman and Senior Congress leader from Odisha Ranjib Biswal took oath as Rajya Sabha member in New Delhi. His oath was administered by the Chariman of Rajya Sabha, Hamid Ansari (the Vice President of India).

Important to note :
Elections for the four vacant seats from Odisha were held on 7th February 2014. Three seats were won by ruling BJD and the fourth seat went to Congress. Other three newly elected members of BJD are :
- Kalpataru Das,
- Sarojini Hembram and
- AU Singh Deo
Idea Cellular gets legal notice for "Pashmina Shawls" ad from Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry
On 23rd April 2014, The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry asked Idea Cellular to immediately withdraw its advertisement on Pashmina Shawls and also demanded to telecast apologies as many times this advertisement has been telecasted.
It also sought compensational penalty of 400 crore rupees, as 300 crore for loss of reputation and business and 100 crore for suffering pain and agony. Earlier Chief Minister of the state Omar Abdullah has also termed this advertisement as misleading.
New mineral Putnisite discovered by Scientists
Scientists have discovered a new mineral in Western Australia and named it "Putnisite". It was found in a surface outcrop at Lake Cowan, north of Norseman in Western Australia. It occurs as tiny crystals, no more than 0.5 mm in diameter and is found on a volcanic rock.
Putnisite appears as dark pink spots on dark green and white rock which, under the microscope, appears as square, cube-like crystals.

Suresh Kumar Reddy appointed as the First ambassador to ASEAN
Suresh Kumar Reddy appointed as the First ambassador to ASEAN and East Asia Summit. This was done by The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on 23rd April 2014.
Presently Suresh Kumar Reddy is serving as Ambassador of India to Iraq. A stronger relationship with the member countries of ASEAN especially Myanmar would help India in countering insurgencies in North-east of India.

Do you know ?
ASEAN - Association of Southeast Asian Nations
GIRO Advisory Group headed by Umesh Bellur submitted its report to RBI
On 23rd April 2014, Government Internal Revenue Order (GIRO) Advisory Group (GAG) under the chairmanship of Prof. Umesh Bellur has submitted its report to Reserve Bank of India (RBI). GIRO Advisory Group (GAG) was constituted in October 2013 to implement a national GIRO-based Indian Bill Payment System. It is a centralised process that allows payments for utility bills, educational fees and insurance premium by just visiting the bank branch, So It has suggested a mechanism for centralised bills payment system in India.
Advisory Group has suggested setting up two Organisations, Bharat Bill Payment Services (BBPS) and the Bharat Bill Payment Operating Units (BBPOUs).
Gautam Sharma appointed as India MD by Japanese foods firm Nissin
On 23rd April 2014 Japanese foods firm Nissin Foods appointed Gautam Sharma as the Managing Director of its Indian arm Indo Nissin. He will be succeding Yuji Tabeta. Yuji Tabeta has been promoted.
Gautam Sharma is the first non-Japanese MD of Indo Nissin. He has worked earlier as Wrigley India CEO. Gautam Sharma has worked with consumer goods firms such as GlaxoSmithKline, Perfetti van Melle and Gillette. Nissin Foods is the maker of Top Ramen noodles.