Ministry of Railways Launches Digital Screens To Spread Awareness About Indian Railways Heritage

In the wake of Prime Minister’s vision for creating digital museums at stations using QR code, Ministry of Railway has made “digital screens” operational at 22 stations on this Independence Day as an innovative low-cost solution to spread awareness among public about the opulent heritage of Indian Railways. 
The project aims at showcasing the legacy of Indian Railways through one to two-minute-long movie clips on digital LED screens at the entrance gate of railway stations and also at different comfort areas. 
In addition, QR code based posters on Railway Heritage are also being displayed at these stations. A passenger can scan the QR code on their mobile to view a streaming video on their mobile on various facades of Railway heritage. 

Source- DD News
Static/Current Takeaways Important for Indian Bank PO Exam 2018- 
  • Piyush Goyal is the present Railways Minister of India. 
  • John Mathai was the first Railway Minister of Independent India. 

US Singer Aretha Franklin Passes Away at 76

US singer Aretha Franklin has died at the age of 76. The “Queen of Soul” was born in Memphis, Tennessee, and made her debut in 1961. Her style on such hits as “Respect” and “Natural Woman” attracted fans all over the world. 
She received the Grammy Award 18 times and was the first female vocalist to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Franklin performed at the inaugurations of three US Presidents — Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama. 
Source- The Guardian 

Qatar To Invest 15 billion in Turkey’s Financial Markets And Banks

Qatar King Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has pledged to make direct investment in Turkey and announced a 15-billion US dollar investment into the country’s financial markets and banks. The announcement came after holding talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara. 
Turkey is currently grappling with a currency crisis and heightened tensions with the United States, its NATO ally. Sheikh Tamim is the first foreign head of state to visit Ankara since the stand-off with Washington. 
Source- AIR World Service

Static/Current Takeaways Important for Indian Bank PO Exam 2018- 
  • Turkey Capital- Ankara, Currency- Turkish lira, President- Recep Tayyip Erdogan. 
  • Qatar Capital- Doha, Currency- Qatari riyal. 

Former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee passes Away

Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has passed away aged 93 in Delhi. Atal Bihari Vajpayee was three times Prime Minister of India. First Term: May 1996, Second Term: 1998-1999 and Third Term: 1999-2004.

A member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Vajpayee served as the eleventh Prime Minister of India. He headed the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance in the Indian Parliament, and became the first Prime Minister unaffiliated with the Indian National Congress to complete a full five-year term in office.
Source- The Economic Times

BSNL launches VOIP based WINGS service


Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) has launched BSNL WINGS a VOIP based service. In WINGS, there is no SIM or cable wiring as is a VOIP service through an app. The WINGS service offers unlimited free audio/video calling for one year. The service can be activ BSNL WINGS a VOIP ated with a one-time fee of Rs. 1,099 (Rs 1,297 with GST).

Calls can be made using any data connection such as wired broadband, Wi-Fi, 3G or 4G network of any any operator.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for IBPS RRB Mains 2018- 
BSNL was incorporated on 15th September 2000.
Headquarters of BSNL is in New Delhi.
Anupam Shrivastava is the Chairman & Managing Director and Director of BSNL.
Source- The Hindu Business Line

Bharti Axa ties up with Airtel Payments Bank to offer Jeevan Jyoti Bima


Bharti Axa Life Insurance and Airtel Payments Bank entered into an alliance to offer the ‘Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana’ (PMJJBY), a government-backed life insurance scheme. The alliance will leverage Airtel Payments Bank’s vast network to reach deep rural pockets and serve the under-insured. With this, Airtel Payments Bank also becomes the first payments bank in India to offer the Government of India-backed life insurance scheme.

The product (PMJJBY) provided by Bharti Axa Life Insurance offers Rs 2 lakh life insurance cover for a nominal premium of Rs 330 per annum and can be purchased by all existing or new Airtel Payments Bank savings bank account holders between the ages of 18-50.

Static/Current Takeaways Important for Indian Bank PO Exam 2018- 
  • CEO of Airtel Payments Bank- Anubrata Biswas
  • Headquarters of Airtel Payments Bank- New Delhi
Source- The Hindu Business Line


Nihal Sarin becomes 53rd chess Grandmaster from India


International Master Nihal Sarin became the 53rd Grandmaster of India despite losing his final round game to Richard Rapport of Hungary in the ninth and final round of Abu Dhabi Masters.

The 14-year-old Nihal tallied 5.5 points out of a possible nine and the final GM norm came the Kerala boy’s way with one round to spare.

Source- Hindustan Times

On Independence Day, PM Modi announces Jan Arogya Abhiyaan for affordable health

Government will launch the ambitious Jan Arogya Abhiyaan (Ayushman Bharat healthcare scheme) on 25th September 2018, the birth anniversary of Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhaya. 

The scheme aims at benefiting 50 crore Indians. The scheme aims to provide a coverage of Rs five lakh per family annually, benefiting more than 10 crore poor families.

Source- DD News

Legendary India Captain Ajit Wadekar Passes Away at 77

Former India cricket captain Ajit Wadekar, who led the team to path-breaking Test wins in England and the West Indies, passed away after prolonged illness. He was 77.

The aggressive batsman was a trailblazer in Indian cricket despite a mere 37 Test appearances, leading India to triumphs in England and the West Indies in 1971. Wadekar scored 2,113 runs in his Test career, including one hundred, and was also the country’s first ODI captain. 

Source- The Times of India

Ramesh Powar Named Head Coach Of Women’s National Team

Former India spinner Ramesh Powar was named head coach of the women’s national team till the ICC World T20 in West Indies, scheduled to be held in November 2018. 
This was informed by BCCI secretary Amitabh Choudhary. Powar was appointed interim coach of the team last month after the resignation of Tushar Arothe. 
Source- AIR World Service