NATIONAL:
1. Facebook page of “Hunar Haat” launched
• Minister of State for Minority Affairs (Independent Charge) and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi launched Facebook Page of second “Hunar Haat” of Minority Affairs Ministry in New Delhi today.
• While launching of Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/hunarhaat17/ Shri Naqvi said that the second “Hunar Haat”, based on the theme of “Craft Aur Cuisine Ka Sangam”, has been visited by more than 15 lakh people so far.
• This “Hunar Haat” is unique in the sense that it is showcasing crafts and traditional cuisines brought from different parts of the country.
• It also has a “Bawarchikhana” where the people are enjoying various dishes from across the country.
2. Cabinet approves merger of 5 associate banks with SBI
• The Cabinet has approved the merger of five associate banks with the State Bank of India (SBI), which will catapult any bank from India to among the top 50 global lenders for the first time. The merger does not include Bharatiya Mahila Bank.
• The five associate banks are State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur, State Bank of Hyderabad, State Bank of Mysore, State Bank of Patiala and State Bank of Travancore.
• The savings would be over Rs 1,000 crore in the first year.
3. 43rd edition of IHGF Delhi Fair Spring 2017 inaugurated by Textiles Secretary
• Textiles Secretary Rashmi Verma today inaugurated the 43rd edition of IHGF- Delhi Fair Spring 2017 at a colorful ceremony at India Expo Centre and Mart in Greater Noida.
• The five day fair will continue upto 20th of this month.
• In order to be competitive, artisans and manufacturers of Indian handicrafts at craft clusters need guidance in creating new products.
4. 5 news judges appointed to apex court
• Five new judges were appointed to the Supreme Court, taking its working strength to 28. Sources said, President Pranab Mukherjee has signed their warrants of appointment.
• Those elevated to the apex court are five high court judges, including four chief justices of state high courts.
• The news Judges are Madras High Court Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Rajasthan HC Chief Justice Naveen Sinha, Kerala HC Chief Justice Mohan M Shantanagouder, Chhattisgarh HC Chief Justice Dipak Gupta and Karnataka HC judge S Abdul Nazeer.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY:
5. HDFC life launches ‘Pragati’, a trad plan for low income
group
• HDFC life today launched Pragati, a traditional life insurance plan that has been specifically designed to empower low income families.
• Pragati makes life insurance easily accessible to every person who wishes to financially secure his family, the private life insurer said in a release issued here.
• With Pragati, HDFC Life wants to offer the dual benefit of systematic savings (with guaranteed premium returns) and wholesome life protection, making it an ideal financial product for every Indian household.
SPORTS:
6. Usain Bolt wins Laureus ‘Sportsman of the Year’ award
• Bolt received his award from legendary Michael Johnson, who urged him not to break other people’s records.
• Bolt, who won this award in 2009, ’10 and ’13, walked away with the ‘Oscar of Sports’ for the fourth time.
• Bolt joined Roger Federer, Serena Williams and Kelly Slater as four-time Laureus award winner.
