1) 7th India Energy Congress 2018 inaugurated by Power and New & Renewable Energy minister RK Singh
•Speaking on the occasion, Mr Singh said, India’s per capita power consumption of 1,200 units is likely to go up by three to four times by 2030 as it aspires to become a developed country with GDP growth rate averaging 8.5 percent and the country is also committed to environmental protection.
•The Minister said the central and state governments are adding huge power generation capacities with thrust on clean renewable energy.
2) FY16 GDP Growth Revised Up To 8.2%, FY17 Unchanged At 7.1%- CSO
•The Central Statistics Office (CSO) revised the gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate for 2015-16 to 8.2% from the earlier estimates of 8% and kept the 2016-17 growth unchanged at 7.1%. The real GDP or GDP at constant (2011-12) prices for the years 2016-17 and 2015-16 stand at Rs121.96 trillion and Rs113.86 trillion respectively, according to the CSO statement.
•In terms of real gross value added (GVA), it stated that the GVA at constant (2011-12) basic prices grew 7.1% in 2016- 17, as against a growth of 8.1% in 2015-16. According to advance GDP estimates of CSO, the GVA growth on 2011-12 price was estimated at 6.6% for 2016-17. Under the third revision, the CSO has estimated GDP growth in 2014-15 at 7.4% from earlier estimates of 7.5%.
3) 2nd edition of Nobel Prize Series-India 2018 inaugurated in Panaji
•The second edition of the Nobel Prize Series - India 2018 was inaugurated in Panaji on Thursday evening. The programme aims to stimulate engagement in science, literature and peace through interactions with Nobel laureates.
•Such interactions include lectures, round table discussions and meetings between Nobel laureates and experts, teachers and students.
•Speaking on the occasion, Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said that the State Government aims to make Goa a hub for science and drive growth by utilizing its human potential through innovation.
4) India Slips To 42nd Place On EIU Democracy Index, Norway Tops
•India has slipped to 42nd place on an annual Global Democracy Index according to the data compiled by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). India has moved down from 32nd place last year.
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The top 5 Countries in the list are-
1.Norway,
2.Iceland,
3.Sweden,
4.New Zealand and
5.Denmark.
•The index ranks 165 independent states and two territories on the basis of five categories: electoral process and pluralism, civil liberties, the functioning of government, political participation and political culture. The list has been divided into four broad categories- full democracy, flawed democracy, hybrid regime and authoritarian regime. North Korea is ranked the lowest at 167th, while Syria is a notch better at 166th place.
5) World Bank Commits $100 Million To Boost Tamil Nadu's Rural Economy
•The government and World Bank signed a $100 million (about Rs 6,400 crore) loan agreement to promote rural economy in selected blocks of Tamil Nadu across 26 districts, benefiting over 4 lakh people.
•The funding aimed at promoting rural enterprises, facilitate their access to finance and create employment opportunities for youth particularly women. The Tamil Nadu Rural Transformation Project will create an enabling environment for producer organisations and enterprises to promote businesses across select value chains.
6) Lt. Gen Anil Chauhan Takes Charge As DGMO Of Indian Army
•Lt. Gen Anil Chauhan took charge as the new Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of the Indian Army. He succeeds Lt General A K Bhatt.
•Lt Gen Chauhan has held several important posts in the Army and is known for his expertise in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast.
