Current Affairs July 02, 2017

1. Money in Swiss banks: India slips to 88th place; UK on top

India has slipped to 88th place in terms of money parked by its citizens with Swiss banks, while the UK remains on the top.

Also, the money officially held by Indians with banks in Switzerland now accounts for a meagre 0.04 per cent of the total funds kept by all foreign clients in the Swiss banking system, as per an analysis of the latest figures compiled by the SNB (Swiss National Bank) as on 2016-end.

India was placed at 75th position in 2015 and at 61st in the year before that, though it used to be among top-50 countries in terms of holdings in Swiss banks till 2007.

The country was ranked highest at 37th place in the year 2004.

2. India contributes $500,000 to UN Peace building Fund 

India has contributed $500,000 to the UN Peace building Fund, expressing hope that more funding by nations will boost efforts by the world body to build and sustain peace.

India has been a member of the Peace building Commission since its inception in December 2005 and has so far contributed $5 million to the Peace building Fund.

3. National Biopharma Mission launched

 The National Biopharma Mission aimed at accelerating biopharmaceutical development in the country was launched by Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan.

The programme named Innovate in India (i3) will witness an investment of USD 250 million with USD 125 million as a loan from World Bank.

It aspires to create an enabling ecosystem to promote entrepreneurship and indigenous manufacturing in the sector.

4. Jharkhand CM inaugurates India’s largest fresh water aquarium

India’s largest fresh water aquarium Ranchi aquarium was unveiled by CM Raghubar Das for public at the Birsa Munda Zoological Park about 12 kms from the city.

As many as 58 technically planned tanks have been installed at the aquarium so as to provide an ambient environment to 120 species of fishes.

5. National Doctors Day: 1 July 

Doctor’s Day in India was established by the Government of India in 1991 to be recognized and celebrated every year on 1st of July as National Doctors day.

It is celebrated on 1st of July on the birth and death anniversary of the most famous physician of India Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy (Dr. B C Roy) to pay lots of honor and tribute.

He was honored with the great Indian civilian award called Bharat Ratna on 4th of February in 1961.

6. Govt reduces Tax Rate on Fertilizers from existing 12% to 5 % under GST

Union Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Ananthkumar briefed the media on the outcome of the 18th meeting of the GST Council, held on 30th June 2017, regarding Fertilizer sector.

The Minister said that it was decided to reduce the GST rate of fertilizers from the existing 12% to 5%.

This decision was primarily taken in the interests of the farmers.

7. BHEL signs pact with Japanese firm for manufacturing coaches for metro trains 

Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) has entered into a technology collaboration agreement with Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd (KHI) of Japan for manufacturing of stainless steel coaches and bogies for metros.

The agreement covers establishing design, engineering and manufacturing facilities at BHEL using Japanese technology.

It will also entitle BHEL for all technology advances and upgrades.

BHEL supplies electric as well as diesel locomotives, EMUs, and propulsion systems for Indian Railways.

8. Indian football legend Subrata Bhattacharya honoured with 'Mohun Bagan Ratna'

Mohun Bagan has decided to honour its legendary former India defender Subrata Bhattacharya with its highest honour — the Mohun Bagan Ratna.

Bhattacharya will be the 17th recipient of the award, which was instituted in 2001, with late Sailen Manna being the first recipient.

The club's executives, who met to decide the awardees to be honoured on its foundation day on 29 July, also chose Balwant Singh as the Mohun Bagan Player of the Year.

Debabrata Das was adjudged Best Cricketer, while they also chose Indian women's cricket team pacer Jhulan Goswami, middle-distance runner Lili Das and Mount Everest conqueror Shaikh Sahabuddin as special awardees.

9. Writer Preeti Shenoy bags Indian of the Year award

Writer Preeti Shenoy was honoured with the Indian of the Year award at a function in New Delhi. 

Shenoy, who is one of India's top five highest selling women authors, was awarded by Brands Academy.