Current Affairs 18th February 2016

Important Points : 

• Which two have inked MoU to set up thermal power plant - Jharkhand & Adani Group
• Which foundation has collaborated with Maharashtra Government for water conservation - Paani Foundation
• Trade Facilitation Agreement approved by - Union Cabinet
• Name the initiative launched by Amazon for small businesses - Tatkal initiative 
• Where will Apple set up Technology Development Centre - Hyderabad
• Which state has announced Free Bus Pass Scheme for senior citizens - Tamil Nadu
• Which two companies have tied up for $11 billion Indian Army’s FICV Programme - Tata Motors & Bharat Forge
• Who has won Israel Prize for Religious Studies for Research on India - David Shulman

Details : 

Which two have inked MoU to set up thermal power plant - Jharkhand & Adani Group

On 17th February 2016, for investment of 15000 crore rupees in the state, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was inked to set up a 1600 MW capacity thermal power plant by the Jharkhand government and Adani Group.

Rajesh Adani, managing director, Adani Group and Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das signed the MoU.

The plants will be set up in Sahibganj and Godda districts of the state.

Apart from this, an investment of 2000 crore will also be received by the state to set up a steel plant from Vedanta group.

Which foundation has collaborated with Maharashtra Government for water conservation - Paani Foundation

Among the important National Current Affairs, On 17th February 2016, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the association of Paani Foundation, a not-for-profit company, started by Actor Aamir Khan and his wife Kiran Rao and the state government to solve the water crisis in the state.

Satyajit Bhatkal, CEO of Paani Foundation led the Operation of the foundation while Khan’s ex-wife Reena Dutta is COO.

Svati Chakravarty, Baba Kalyani, Ratan Tata, Deepak Parekh, Nita Ambani, Anu Aga, Atul Kulkarni, Popatrao Pawar and Dr Avinash Pol are the members of the advisory board of the Foundation. 

Trade Facilitation Agreement approved by - Union Cabinet

On 17th February 2016, Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) of the World Trade Organization (WTO) was approved by the Union Cabinet.

India has became the 71st country to approve the agreement that seeks to ease customs procedures to boost commerce.

The TFA contains provisions for expediting the movement, release and clearance of goods, including goods in transit.

Name the initiative launched by Amazon for small businesses - Tatkal initiative 

Among the important Business Current Affairs, On 17th February 2016, Amazon Tatkal, an initiative that enables small and medium businesses (SMBs) was launched by E-commerce giant Amazon to go online and sell products on its website.

Key highlights of Amazon Tatkal

• It offers registration, imaging and cataloguing services.
• Thousands of interested sellers will be enabled to start selling on Amazon in real time.

Where will Apple set up Technology Development Centre - Hyderabad

Among the important Business Current Affairs, In February 2016, Apple Inc. announced setting up of a Technology Development Centre (TDC) in Hyderabad, Telangana.

The centre will be set up in Tishman Speyer's WaveRock facility at an estimated investment of 25 million US dollars and occupy 250000 square feet.

Which state has announced Free Bus Pass Scheme for senior citizens - Tamil Nadu

Among the important National Current Affairs, On 18th February 2016, a free bus pass scheme for senior citizens was announced by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in Chennai. 

After getting the response to the scheme from the senior citizens, it would be extended to the whole state. 

Which two companies have tied up for $11 billion Indian Army’s FICV Programme - Tata Motors & Bharat Forge

In February 2016, the USA-based General Dynamics and Bharat Forge tied up for defense bid under Future Infantry Combat Vehicle programme.

The programme involves development of compact combat vehicles for the Indian Army.

Features of Future Infantry Combat Vehicle Programme

• The FICV is an armoured vehicle operated by a crew of 3 members consisting of driver, the commander and gunner with an extra capacity to carry 7 fully equipped infantrymen.
• It will have a weight of around 20 tonnes so that it can be transported by some means in combat zones.
• It will have the strike power of a 45 tonne Main Battle Tank (MBT).

Who has won Israel Prize for Religious Studies for Research on India - David Shulman

Among the important International Current Affairs, On 14th February 2016, the prestigious Israel Prize for Religious Studies was awarded to renowned Indologist Professor David Shulman for his breakthrough research into the literature and culture of southern India.

About David Shulman

• He is considered as one of the world’s foremost authorities on the languages of India.
• He has researched in field of Dravidian linguistics, Indian poetics, the history of religion in South India, Carnatic music and Tamil Islam.
• Currently, he is Renee Lang Professor of Humanistic Studies at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
• In the year 1987, he won the prestigious MacArthur Fellowship.

Do You Know : 

• The Israel Prize is the state's highest honour awarded by the State of Israel.
• The award is presented on Israeli Independence Day every year.