Current Affairs 11 February 2018 1. National Meet on Grassroot Informatics – VIVID 2018 ● National Informatics Centre (NIC) is organizing a three-day National Meet on Grassroot Informatics – VIVID 2018 at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. ● The three-day event will be inaugurated by Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, Hon’ble Union Minister of Electronics & Information Technology and Law & Justice. ●
The Theme for VIVID 2018 is “Cyber Security and Innovation”.
Important points: National Informatics Centre (NIC) ➢ Director General: Neeta Verma ➢ Headquarters: New Delhi ➢ Founded: 1976
2. India retains top spot as source market for Dubai in 2017 ● Dubai witnessed 15 percent growth in tourist arrivals from India in 2017, hosting 2.1 million visitors, retaining top spot as the source market. ● It also became the first country to cross the 2 million mark in a single year, according to the latest data published by Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism). ● The growth is mainly due to the success of Dubai Tourism’s ongoing collaboration with Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan in the ‘BeMyGuest’ campaign.
3. NPCI appoints Biswamohan Mahapatra as non-executive chairman ● The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has appointed Biswamohan Mahapatra as non-executive chairman of the board for a period of two years with effect. ● Mahapatra succeeds B Sambamurthy, who has been the interim chairman.
Important points: National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) ➢ Founded: 2008 ➢ Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
4. Modi conferred the Grand Collar of the State of Palestine ● Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred the Grand Collar of the State of Palestine by President Mahmoud Abbas, recognising his key contribution to promote relations between India and Palestine. ● President Abbas conferred the Grand Collar of the State of Palestine on Mr Modi after the conclusion of the bilateral meeting between the two leaders. ●
Mr Modi is the first Indian Prime Minister to make
an official visit to Palestine. ●
The Grand Collar is Highest order given to foreign dignitaries — Kings, Heads of State/Government and persons of similar rank.
Important points: Palestine ➢ Capital: East Jerusalem ➢ President: Mahmoud Abbas ➢ Prime minister: Rami Hamdallah
5. Bengaluru to get electric vehicle charging points across the city ● Bengaluru city has the highest number of electric car owners in India, with over 6,000 electric vehicles. ● Bengalureans will get to see the first charging station at the BESCOM headquarters in the KR Circle area of the city. The government is planning to install 11 public charging points for e-vehicles. ● Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (BESCOM) is attempting to replace 100 of its official vehicles with electric ones to advance the utilization of clean energy vehicles. ●
Currently, Mahindra is the main maker that monetarily offers electric vehicles in India.