GK Update In English 17th April 2018
By: D.K Chaudhary
1. Smriti Irani Inaugurates 7th Edition of Home Expo India 2018
i. The seventh edition of Home Expo India 2018, organised by Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH), was inaugurated at India Expo Centre & Mart in Greater Noida.
ii. Union Minister of Textiles Smriti Irani inaugurated the fair, while Ajay Tamta, Minister of State for Textiles, was the guest of honour. Home Expo India 2018 will generate business deals for direct import.
2. Himachal Pradesh Celebrates its 71st Foundation Day
i. Himachal Pradesh celebrated its 71st foundation day with much fanfare and gaiety. Several cultural events were organized across the state. It may be recalled that the hill state came into existence after the merger of 30 odd princely states in 1948.
ii. The main event was held at Ridge Maidan in Shimla, where Chief Minister Jairam Thakur reviewed the ceremonial Parade presented by police, home guards and NCC cadets.
- Himachal Pradesh CM- Jai Ram Thakur, Governor- Acharya Dev Vrat.
3. Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana Launched in Telangana
i. Launching the ‘Gram Swaraj Abhiyan’ in Telangana, the Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan stated the number of LPG distribution points in the State will be increased to 1,000 from the existing 707 for quicker and efficient delivery of gas cylinders.
ii. Mr Pradhan promised to create 20 lakh ‘happy homes’ in the State through free LPG gas connections under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)-– the scheme providing free cooking gas connections to below the poverty line families.
- Telangana CM- K. Chandrashekar Rao, Governor- ESL Narasimhan.
4. PM Modi Leaves on 5-Day Visit to Sweden & UK
i. Prime Minister Narendra Modi left on a five-day visit to Sweden and the UK. The visit to the two nations aims at enhancing bilateral cooperation in key areas like trade, investments and Science & technology.
ii. On the first leg of his visit, the Prime Minister will attend the first-ever India-Nordic Summit at Stockholm, which will be co-hosted by India and Sweden. In London, Mr Modi will take part in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting being hosted by the UK.
- Nordic countries include Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark and Iceland.
- Sweden Capital- Stockholm, Currency- Swedish krona.
- The United Kingdom Capital- London, Currency- British pound.
5. Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting Begins in London
i. The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM 2018) has begun in London, the UK. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will take part in the event on 19th and 20th of April.
ii. The theme of the summit is ‘Towards a Common Future’. The biennial event has brought together delegates from 53 Commonwealth nations.
