Daily Current Affairs, 02nd February 2018

1)  32nd Surajkund International Crafts Mela Begins

•The 32nd Surajkund International Crafts Mela has begun in Faridabad, Haryana. The Mela is organized by the Surajkund Mela Authority and Haryana Tourism in collaboration with Union Ministries of Tourism, Textiles, Culture and External Affairs.

•The 17-day cultural extravaganza will see a spectacular showcase of regional and international crafts, handlooms, traditions along with some mouth-watering multi-cuisine food for the visitors. This year Uttar Pradesh is the theme state and Kyrgyzstan is the Partner Nation.

2)  UAE Launches World's Longest Zip Line

•The United Arab Emirates has made a record by opening the world's longest zip line, measuring 2.83 km in length. Guinness World Records officials certified the zip line in Ras al-Khaimah.

•The Jebel Jais Flight takes thrill-seekers atop the country's largest mountain peak, from a launch pad 1,680 meters (5,512 feet) above sea level.

3)  Rwanda Becomes 1st Poor Country To Provide Eye Care For All

•Rwanda has become the first low-income country to provide universal eye care for its 12 million population.

•The government has partnered with the organisation Vision for a Nation (VFAN) to train more than 3,000 eye care nurses based in 502 local health centres, prescribing glasses and referring those with serious eye problems to national clinics.

4)  Magahi Writer Shesh Anand Madhukar Awarded Sahitya Akademi's Bhasha Samman

•Magahi writer Shesh Anand Madhukar, who has been working extensively for the development of the language, was honoured with this year's Sahitya Akademi Bhasha Samman award.

•The second writer of Magahi language to be given the award, Madhurkar was conferred the award, comprising a Rs 1 lakh cheque and a memento, by Sahitya Akademi President Vishwanath Prasad Tiwari.

5)  IOA Joint Secretary Vikram Singh Sisodia Named Chef-De-Mission For CWG

•The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) appointed its joint secretary Vikram Singh Sisodia as the Chef-de-Mission for the upcoming Commonwealth Games to be held in Gold Coast, Australia.

•The IOA also appointed three team managers to accompany Sisodia and help him in the day-to-day duties during the Games. Sisodia is also currently the president of Chhattisgarh State Tennis Association. 

6)  India Open Boxing: Mary Kom Clinches Gold, India Bag 10 Medals

•The five-time World Champion MC Mary Kom claimed the gold medal in the India Open International Boxing tournament at Thyagraj Indoor Stadium in New Delhi. She defeated Josie Gabuco from the Philippines in a split 4-1 decision to grab the gold in the women's 48kg weight category.

•The 12th seeded boxer had earlier booked her place in the finals after defeating Mongolian Altansetseg Lutsaikhan in the semi-final clash. Pinki Rani also fetched gold for India after defeating Mongolia’s Jargalan Ochirbat in the final of fly (48-51 kg) category.