Daily GK Potion – 15th February 2016

Vilas Tonapi appointed as Director of Indian Institute of Millets Research

  • Vilas A. Tonapi has been appointed as the Director of Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR).
  • At present, Tonapi is serving as the Principal Scientist at Seed Science and Technology of the IIMR.
  • He holds a PhD from Tamil Nadu Agriculture University and obtained his post Doctoral from University of Queensland, Australia.

Indian Ambassador to Tajikistan Biraja Prasad passes away

  • India’s Ambassador to Tajikistan Biraja Prasad passed away on Saturday morning.
  • Mr. Prasad, who belonged to Odisha, suffered a heart attack during sleep
  • Prasad, a career diplomat, had joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1998. He had held different diplomatic assignments such as third secretary and then second secretary (Political) in Embassy of India, Moscow (Russian Federation) from 2000 to 2002 and Second Secretary (Political and Commercial).

Vidya Balan receives Pride of Kerala award

  • Bollywood actress Vidya Balan has been awarded the ‘Pride of Kerala’ award by the World Malayalee Council and Kairali TV.
  • The National award-winning actress has starred in films like “Parineeta”, “Paa”, “No One Killed Jessica”, “The Dirty Picture” and “Kahaani”.
  • Balan will be next seen in Sujoy Ghosh-produced “TE3N”, which also stars Amitabh Bachchan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui.

U-19 World Cup final: West Indies lifts maiden WC

  • The Indian under-19 cricket team’s quest for an unprecedented fourth World Cup title ended in disaster today as the West Indies out—witted the Rahul Dravid-coached side by five wickets in a tense summit clash to clinch the coveted trophy for the first time since its inception.
  • Put in to bat by the Caribbeans on a green-top amid overcast conditions, the script went completely awry for the Indians, who were dismissed for 145 in 45.1 overs with Sarfaraz Khan’s 89-ball 51 being the only noteworthy contribution.
  • In reply, the West Indies made heavy weather of the chase in a slow-moving but thrilling match to overhaul the score in 49.3 overs.
  • The heroes for West Indies were Man of the Match Keacy Carty (52 not out off 125 ball) and Keemo Paul (40 not out off 68 balls) both of whom kept their cool in the high-pressure game to take the side home.

DIAL launches mobile app for cargo at Delhi airport

  • Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) has launched a mobile application for cargo operations that will help reduce paper work and track movement of shipments on real time basis.
  • The mobile application would aid in electronic clearance of cargo through the customs department.
  • DIAL said the application provides authorised access to operators, customs, custom house agents, airlines and freight forwarders, among others.
  • Delhi airport handled 700,000 MTs of cargo in 2014-15.

Air vice marshal RD mathur promoted to the rank of air marshal

  • Air Vice Marshal Rajiv Dayal Mathur  who had been Assistant Chief of Air Staff in charge of the Indian Air Force’s Air Warfare Strategy Cell besides its space,  cyber,  Air Traffic Services and Media &  Public Relations Directorates,  promoted to the rank of Air Marshal
  • Commissioned into the Fighter stream of the Indian Air Force in June 1982, the officer has over 5,000 hours of flying experience in a variety of operational and training roles.
  • Air Marshal RD Mathur has undergone post-graduate courses at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington and the National Defence College, New Delhi, and holds M.Sc and M Phil degrees in Defence and Strategic Studies from Madras University

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