Pongal being celebrated with traditional gaiety in Tamil Nadu Today (14 January 2017)
i.In Tamil Nadu, Pongal the harvest festival is being celebrated with traditional gaiety and grandeur on 14 or 15 January of each year.
ii.The whole State especially the rural areas is having a festive look to celebrate Pongal. Pongal is a four-days-long harvest festival celebrated in Tamil Nadu, a southern state of India.
iii.For as long as people have been planting and gathering food, there has been some form of harvest festival.
iv.This four-day festival of thanksgiving to nature takes its name from the Tamil word meaning “to boil” and is held in the month of Thai (January-February) during the season when rice and other cereals, sugar-cane, and turmeric (an essential ingredient in Tamil cooking) are harvested.
India’s First Madame Tussauds Museum In Delhi Unveils Wax Figures Of Big B, Lady Gaga
i.India is all set to get its first wax museum in June 2017 unveils Wax Figures Of Amitabh Bachchan, Lady Gaga.
ii.Madame Tussauds, the legendary wax attraction entertainment hotspot is all set to open its doors in capital New Delhi.
iii.Located in the heart of the Delhi – Connaught Place at Regal Cinema, the dazzling entertainment zone will represent the fascinating world of politics, glamour, sports and music, through planned themes and interactive platforms.
Kerala Launched its First Solar Powered Boat Aditya
i.The Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the first solar-powered boat of the state water transport department, Aditya on January 12, 2017 at a function held in Vaikom boat Jetty in Kerala.
ii.Piyush Goyal, Minister of State with independent charge for New & Renewable Energy, Solar Powered boatwas the chief guest.
Ecuador takes chair of UN group of 134 developing countries
i.Ecuador has taken over from Thailand as chair of the Group of 77 which promotes the interests of the 134 developing countries it represents at the United Nations, including China.
ii.Ecuador’s President Rafael Correa Stated the handover ceremony that the group will continue promoting “social and economic equality.”
Airtel’s Payments Bank Starts Operation with Initial Investment of Rs. 3000 Crore
i.Airtel Payments Bank the first payments bank started its nationwide operations on January 12, 2017 with an initial investment of Rs 3,000 crore and offering an interest rate of 7.25 per cent for savings accounts.
ii.The bank was launched by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.
iii.This is the first payments bank which will be opened across 29 states in India to provide financial services to the millions who are outside the banking system.
CISF announces Rs 25 lakh ex-gratia for bereaved families in Bihar
i.The Central Industrial Security Force has announced Rs 25 lakh ex-gratia payment to the family of each of the four personnel gunned down by its jawan Balbir Singh in Aurangabad district of Bihar after a tiff.
ii.The CISF came into existence in 1969 with a modest beginning, having three battalions, to provide integrated security cover to the Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) which, in those years, occupied the commanding heights of the economy.
Car carrier service starts between Gujarat and Mangaluru
i.In line with Government of India’s policy of implementing the vision for coastal shipping, tourism and regional development, New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT) has introduced Car carrier service between Gujarat and Mangaluru.
ii.The pure car and truck carrier MV Dresden sailed out to Cochin after discharging Tata Cars and loaded trucks at the port
4th International Kite Festival begins in New Delhi
i.Fourth International Kite Festival begins in New Delhi .
ii.Professional kite flying experts from across India and the globe are taking part in the three-day festival, which will have an exhibition on the history of kites as well.
iii.A special kite making demonstration will also be organised where professional kite flyers will showcase their expertise and demonstrate the art of kite making.
Pepsico sells land parcel to Wadhwa Group for ₹ 190 cr
i.American snack and beverage giant PepsiCo India has sold a 2.5 acre land parcel in the Central suburb Chembur to The Wadhwa Group for ₹ 190-200 crore.
ii.Pepsi had bought the land parcel from Videocon in 1996 to set up a bottling plant for their beverage Duke’s.
iii. The factory has been defunct since 2014.Industry watchers stated that several key developers were eyeing the marquee land parcel for its strategic location.
iv. Wadhwa Group had outbid players such as Godrej Properties, K Raheja Corp, Mahindra Lifespace among others.Wadhwa Group plans to develop the project into a residential segment.
US lifts 20-year economic embargo on Sudan
i.The United States has announced the end of a 20-year economic embargo on Sudan, lifting trade and financial sanctions in an effort to foster ties with the Sudanese government.
ii.The announcement made by outgoing President Barack Obama’s administration on Friday comes after an executive order to permanently repeal a range of sanctions as a result of Sudan’s efforts to improve security in the region.
Premier Badminton League 3: PV Sindhu finally prevails over Saina Nehwal
Rio Olympics silver medallist P V Sindhu produced a disciplined performance to outwit Saina Nehwal in straight games in a much-anticipated encounter as Chennai Smashers entered the finals of the Premier Badminton League season 2 with a 4-1 win over Awadhe Warriors. 
Important Current Affairs Quiz for Bank ...
