GK Update 1 August 2016

1. Suresh Prabhu flags off Agartala-Delhi train 'Tripura Sundari Express'

i. Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu has flagged off maiden broad-gauge train service between Agartala and Delhi, ‘Tripura Sundari Express’.
ii. The ‘Tripura Sundari Express’ will run weekly between Agartala and Anand Vihar in Delhi. The rail link was developed at an expense of 968 crore rupees.
iii. Apart from this, Prabhu along with Bangladesh Railway Minister Md. Mazibul Hoque also laid the foundation stone for Agartala-Akhaura International Rail Project. This train link would be part of the trans-Asian rail connectivity. 

2. Andhra Pradesh signs MoU with Japan to develop food value chain

i. The Andhra Pradesh government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Japan to develop a food value chain in the state.
ii. Under the MoU, Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF) will encourage direct investments by Japanese companies in the fields of agriculture and food-related industry in Andhra Pradesh.
iii. Along with developing a food value chain, it will also establish food industrial parks and develop cold chains.

3. IRCTC's app tie-up with Mobikwik for e-cash payments

i. Mobile payments company MobiKwik and Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) have announced an exclusive partnership, wherein MobiKwik will power e-cash payments on IRCTC's e-catering app, Food on Track. 
ii. The app allows passengers to book and get food from their preferred restaurants, delivered right at their train coaches. MobiKwik is also powering payments for IRCTC Connect, which allows users to book train tickets instantly.
iii. MobiKwik is a mobile wallet and online payment system where a user can store money to make mobile and DTH recharge, pay utility bills and shop using wallet with over 50,000 merchants.

4. Oracle India Joins SBI To Foster Digital Skills Initiative

i. Global software major, Oracle India has announced a corporate citizenship collaboration with State Bank of India (SBI) and launched the 'D-Change' programme which will support education and learning, women's empowerment and rural skills development in the country. 
ii. The initiative will merge SBI's financial expertise and expansive reach with Oracle's technology leadership to help local communities drive substantial change and develop a skilled economy.

5. NTPC commissions NP Kunta power project

i. NTPC Ltd has commissioned a 50 MW (1X50 MW) capacity solar photovoltaic power project of NP Kunta Ultra Mega Solar Power Project Stage-I at Anantapuramu in Andhra Pradesh.
ii. With this, the installed capacity of NP Kunta Ultra Mega Solar Power Project Stage-I coming up at Anantapuramu has touched 250 MW and that of NTPC Group now stands at 47,228 MW.

6. ICICI Bank reduces MCLR by 0.05%

i. Country's largest private sector lender ICICI Bank has announced a 0.05% reduction in its marginal cost of funds based lending rate (MCLR). 
ii. The overnight MCLR will be 8.90% under the revised rate structure which is effective from today. 
iii. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) introduced the MCLR from April 1 this year for faster transmission of its policy actions into actual lending rates by the banks. The MCLR replaced the base rate system and so far the banks, lenders have been very quick to react to competitive forces in making marginal rate adjustments.

7. Syed Nayeemuddin conferred Mohun Bagan Ratna

i. The Mohun Bagan FC has conferred club’s highest decoration Mohun Bagan Ratna (jewel) on legendary Indian Footballer Syed Nayeemuddin. 
ii. With this, he became the 16th recipient of the prestigious award, which is bestowed upon a person for making a seminal contribution to the success of the club. He is also the only sportsperson awarded with the prestigious Arjuna and Dronacharya Awards for football.
iii. Syed Nayeemuddin is former football player and Indian football team coach. He had captained the Indian national football team which had won the bronze medal at the 1970 Asian Games. He was appointed as the coach of India football team in 1997. Under his guidance, India had won South Asian Football Federation Cup. 

8. Justice DB Bhosale sworn-in as Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court

i. Justice Dilip Babasaheb Bhosale has sworn-in as the Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court. His oath of the office was administered by Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik. 
ii. The post had been vacant since May this year when Justice Bhosale's predecessor, Justice D Y Chandrachud, was elevated to the Supreme Court. 
iii. Prior to this appointment as Chief Justice of Allahabad HC, he was serving as acting chief justice of High Court of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

9. Dilip Rath assumes additional charge as NDDB chairman

i. Dilip Rath took over as the chairman of National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), after the department of personnel and training (DoPT), Government of India gave him the additional charge of the post until the appointment of a regular incumbent. 
ii. The chairman’s post fell vacant last week after T Nandakumar resigned before his five-year term ended.
iii. Rath is currently the managing director of NDDB.

10. India to host Kabaddi World Cup in October

i. International Kabaddi Federation has announced the selection of India for hosting "The 2016 Kabaddi World Cup". 
ii. The World Cup is featuring 12 countries namely USA, Canada, UK, Australia, Iran, Poland, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Korea, Japan, Kenya, and India. The event is scheduled to be held in October 2016 but the dates for the event will be announced later.
iii. Kabaddi originated from India and is one of the most popular games of Asia. It became a part of Asian Games in the year 1990 while women Kabaddi was included in Asian Games during 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou in 2010. 

11. Patna Pirates wins 4th season of Pro Kabaddi League

i. The Patna Pirates have won the fourth edition of STAR Sports-ProKabaddi League by defeating Jaipur Pink Panthers in the final match played at Gachibowli Stadium, Hyderabad (Telangana). 
ii. With this Patna, the unit made history as they became the only team to lift the trophy twice in the tournament’s history of four editions. The Puneri Paltan was placed at the third place in this edition after they defeated Telugu Titans.
iii. In the women section, Storm Queens have won inaugural edition of the Women’s Challenge of Pro Kabaddi League. In the final match, they defeated Fire Birds by the 24-23 score.

12. Lewis Hamilton wins 2016 German Grand Prix title of Formula One

i. Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton has won the 2016 German Grand Prix title of Formula One. It was his fourth consecutive win in the 2016 season and overall fifth title of the 2016 season. 
ii. Earlier in 2016 season, he had won Monaco (May 2016), Canadian (June 2016), Austrian (July 2016), British (July 2016) and Hungarian (July 2016) Grand Prix. 
iii. Lewis Hamilton is a British Formula One racing driver from England, currently racing for the Mercedes AMG Petronas team.