10 June 2016 – Daily Current Affairs

QIA (Qatar Investment Authority) and NIIF signed MoU for facilitating investment in the infrastructure sector of India

On 5^th June 2016, QIA (Qatar Investment Authority) and NIIF (National Investment and Infrastructure Fund) signed a MoU for facilitating investments towards the infrastructure sector of India. The event took place in Doha when Narendra Modi, Indian President visited Qatar. The aim of this MoU is to help the QIA in studying the investment opportunities across the infrastructure in India. In exchange for this information, QIA will be developing a framework so that both sides can work on effective joint investments. This MoU is valid for 1 year during which both parties shall discuss as well as finalize on principles, criteria and terms for these investments.

Major General MG (Major General) Per Lodin selected as UN MOG (Military Observer Group) Head in Pakistan and India

On 8^th June 2016, Per Lodin was appointed as the UNMOGIP (UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan) Head. Secretary of United Nations, General B. Ki-Moon approved the appointment of Lodin. General Lodin will be succeeding MG (Major General) DJ Sakyi from Ghana. General Sakyi will be completing his assignment of two years as the Head on 2^nd July 2016. Lodin is currently heading SMM (Strategic Material Management) division at the FMV (Forsvarets materielverk). FMV is the logistics and procurement arm of the Swedish Defense Sector.

G Kalyanakrishnan appointed as the CEO of NFC (Nuclear Fuel Complex)

On 8^th June 2016, G Kalyanakrishnan (distinguished scientist) was appointed as the CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of NFC (Nuclear Fuel Complex) at Hyderabad. Kalyankrishnan will be succeeding N Saibaba. Saibaba will be retiring after his 2 years of extended service period. Prior to this, Kalyankrishnan worked as the Deputy CEO of NFC. He is an experienced scientist in the field of commissioning and erection. Kalyankrishnan has a Chemical Engineering degree from REC (Regional Engineering College), Warangal. NFC was founded in the year 1971. It is a major manufacturer and supplier of reactor-core components and nuclear fuel-bundles to the DAE (Department of Atomic Energy), India.

Assam Researchers developed two new variants of rice, Bahadur Sub-1 and Ranjit Sub-1

Researchers as the AAU (Assam Agricultural University), Assam developed two new variants of rice, Bahadur Sub-1 and Ranjit Sub-1. These variants were developed for getting better rice yields under the submerged conditions across the state, mainly at the Barak Valley. Most of the Assam including the valley is susceptible to regular flash floods leading to loss of crops. The new varieties have an extra gene for improved productivity even during submerged crop fields.

IRB (Indian Reserve Battalion) to be renamed after Rajput Ruler, Maharana Pratap

8^th June 2016, Rajnath Singh (Union Home Minister) while launching a new IRB (Indian Reserve Battalion) in Rajasthan announced that its name will be after Rajput ruler Maharana Pratap. The name of the Battalion will be ‘Maharana Pratap Reserve Battalion’. Maharana Pratap was one of the greatest fighters of Mewar Region. The scheme for IRB was established by the government in 1971 and till now 153 battalions are functional across various states.