•NSD is celebrated to commemorate the discovery of the ‘Raman Effect’, which led to Sir C.V. Raman winning the Noble Prize. The theme has been chosen for the purpose of raising public appreciation of the scientific issues involved.
2) Chilika Lake Largest Habitat Of Irrawaddy Dolphins Globally
•The first ever ‘Annual Monitoring’ was conducted by the CDA to count the number of the marine mammals and to study the hydrological impacts of removal of pen culture (locally known as gherries).
3) I&B Minister Smriti Irani Releases 'India-2018' Book
•Information and Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani released 'India 2018' (English Version) and 'Bharat 2018' (Hindi Version). The books are published by the Publications Division. The book available in both print and online versions.
•It is an exhaustive publication dealing with all aspects of the country's development. With its latest edition, the book has entered into its 62nd year of publication.
4) King Of Jordan In India On 3-Day Visit
•The King of Jordan Abdullah-II bin Al-Hussein arrived in New Delhi on a 3-day visit to India. The King is accompanied by a business delegation. During his visit, he will also participate in a CEO Round-table followed by India-Jordan Business Forum.
•The Jordanian King’s visit comes nearly three weeks after Prime Minister Narendra Modi travelled to Jordan as part of his trip to West Asia, including Palestine. The two sides are expected to sign MoUs and agreements in diverse areas of bilateral cooperation.
5) RBI Raises Currency Derivative Trade Limit To USD 100 Million
•The Reserve Bank of India raised the exposure limit under Exchange Traded Currency Derivatives (ETCD)trading for residents and foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) to USD 100 million across all currency pairs involving the Indian rupee.
•The RBI's decision to raise the limit will help entities engaged in forex transactions to maintain their currency risks in a better manner. Earlier, the RBI had imposed a limit of USD 15 million for USD-INR and USD 5 million for other currency pairs of Indian rupee with Euro, Japanese Yen and British Pound.
6) 9.9% Growth In Foreign Exchange Earnings In January 2018 Over January 2017
•Ministry of Tourism estimates monthly Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs) through Tourism in India, both in Rupee and Dollar terms based on the credit data of Travel Head from Balance of Payments of Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The highlights of the estimates of FEEs from tourism in India for January 2018 are as below:-
•Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs) through Tourism (in Rs. terms)-
1.FEEs during the month of January 2018 were Rs. 17,725 crore as compared to Rs. 16,135 crore in January 2017.
2.The growth rate in FEEs in rupee terms in January 2018 over January 2017 was 9.9%, compared to the growth of 18.0% in January 2017 over January 2016.
•Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs) through Tourism (in US $ terms)-
1.FEEs in US$ terms during the month of January 2018 were US$ 2.786 billion as compared to FEEs of US$ 2.370 billion during the month of January 2017.
2.The growth rate in FEEs in US$ terms in January 2018 over January 2017 was 17.6% compared to the growth of 16.6% in January 2017 over January 2016.
