Daily GK Update - 22nd January 2015

Microsoft shows off Windows 10 and ‘HoloLens’

(i) Microsoft has taken the wraps off a new version of Windows and a new wearable 3D gadget it calls the HoloLens.

(ii) The company showed the new headset, which lets users view and interact with three-dimensional images, at an event where it also revealed new features coming to the company’s flagship operating software.

(iii) Executives said Windows 10 is designed to embrace the way people use computers today, offering a familiar experience as they switch back and forth from personal computers to tablets, smartphones and other gadgets such as gaming consoles or even holographic projectors .

Budget session to begin on Feb. 23

(i) The budget session of Parliament will begin on February 23 and the Modi Government will present its first full year Budget on February 28.

(ii) The session, as is customary, will be held in two parts: the recess will start on March 20 and Parliament will re-convene on April 20. The session will end on May 8.

(iii) General Budget to be presented on Feb. 28, Economic Survey on Feb. 27 and Railway Budget on Feb. 26.

SEBI vetting plan to allow banks convert corporate debt into equity

(i) The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Chairman U.K. Sinha, on Wednesday, said that the regulator was working with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for a formula allowing banks to convert their debt into equity in corporates.

(ii) “This will take some more time. But we are in dialogue with RBI and Finance Ministry too. We will come out with a discussion paper shortly before final implementation,” said Mr. Sinha on the sidelines of the MF Utility launch meeting here.

Narendra Modi launches 'Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao'

(i) Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to launch the national programme of “Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao” (Save girl child-Educate girl child) campaign in Panipat, Haryana. 

(ii) In Haryana, the sex ratio in districts ranges between 875 and 837 which means the female foeticide rate is high: Maneka.

(iii) Madhuri addresses Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign as brand ambassador.

(iv) Union Ministers Maneka Gandhi, Smriti Irani, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Inderjit Singh, J.P. Nadda and Haryana CM also on dais

Rajnath to launch website on security apps    

(i) With an objective to promote innovation in developing security related web applications, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh will soon launch web portal ‘MySecurity.in’, providing a platform to enterprising individuals, companies and non-government organisations. 

(ii) The web applications would be made available for public use.

(iii) Only those applications that pass security audit will be allowed to be hosted on the website. 

(iv) The MHA will give priority to the applications aimed at providing security in emergency situations to women, children, senior citizens and other vulnerable sections of society.

Obama to join Modi on 'Mann ki Baat'

(i) U. S. President Barack Obama will join Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his monthly radio interaction Mann Ki Baat on All India Radio on January 27.

(ii) That there would be a special programme where the two would share their thoughts and respond to questions was announced by Mr. Modi himself via Twitter on Thursday morning.

(iii) Since October, Mr. Modi has been going on air once a month to address the nation and take questions on issues that are pre-determined. He has spoken on the use of khaadi and against drug abuse from this platform in the past.

ICC World Cup warm up matches start from Feb 8

(i) A series of warm-up matches starting Feb 8 will provide insight into the form of some of the teams taking part in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, and also give a chance to fans, who are from the tournament venues, to see some of the stars in action.

(ii) A total of 14 warm-up matches will be played from Feb 8 to 13 in Adelaide, Christchurch, Melbourne and Sydney.

(iii) The venues include Adelaide Oval, Hagley Oval in Christchurch, the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) and the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), all of which are hosting matches in the tournament proper.

Schedule of warm-up matches:

Feb 8: Australia vs India, Adelaide Oval.

Feb 9: South Africa vs Sri Lanka, Hagley Oval.

Feb 9: New Zealand vs Zimbabwe, Lincoln Oval.

Feb 9: England vs West Indies, Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

Feb 9: Pakistan vs Bangladesh, Blacktown.

Feb 10: India vs Afghanistan, Adelaide Oval.

Feb 10: Ireland vs Scotland, Blacktown.

Feb 11: South Africa vs New Zealand, Hagley Oval.

Feb 11: Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe, Lincoln Oval.

Feb 11: Australia vs United Arab Emirates, MCG.

Feb 11: England vs Pakistan, SCG.

Feb 12: West Indies vs Scotland, SCG.

Feb 12: Bangladesh vs Ireland, Blacktown.

Feb 13: Afghanistan vs United Arab Emirates, Junction Oval.