Daily GK Update [3rd April 2015]

1. President gives nod to land ordinance

i. The land acquisition ordinance, re-promulgated, a day before it is to lapse.

ii. The government could not get converted into a legislation in Rajya Sabha due to stiff opposition from the other parties.

iii. The fresh ordinance, which is the 11th by the Narendra Modi government, incorporates nine amendments that were part of the bill passed in Lok Sabha.

iv. To enable re-promulgation of the ordinance, the government last week got the Rajya Sabha prorogued. Under the Constitution at least one of the Houses has to be prorogued for Government to issue an ordinance.

2. Former world champion hurdler Liu Xiang to retire

i. China’s former Olympic champion hurdler Liu Xiang plans to announcement his retirement next week following years of nagging injuries. 

ii. The 31-year-old Liu became one of China’s best-known athletes by winning the 110-meter hurdles title at the 2004 Athens Olympics in a then-world record time.

iii. Liu missed previous two olympics outings due to similar problems.

3. Indian-origin nurse Subadhra Devi Rai named for 2015 International Achievement Award

i. Subadhra Devi Rai, a senior lecturer at the School of Health Sciences (Nursing) at Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP), has been named winner of the 2015 International Achievement Award by the International Council of Nurses' Florence Nightingale International Foundation (FNIF).

ii. She was named for the award for her work in the healthcare sector of women and refugees and will receive the award on 21 June 2015 at a conference in Seoul.

iii. With this 51-year-old Rai became the first Singaporean to get the prestigious biennial prize since its introduction in 1999.

4. India ranks 119 on 2015 FM Global Resilience Index

i. In recently released 2015 FM Global Resilience Index, India has been ranked a low 119 out of 130 countries.

ii. India despite having scope and global potential was ranked 119 compared to 112th rank in 2014 Global Resilience Index.

iii. India is ranked 115 position on the economic parameter that takes into account GDP, political risk and oil intensity. This rank is same as in year 2014.

iv. In the risk quality factor, India is ranked 109 for its quality of natural hazard and fire risk management. In this parameter, India has shown slight improvement from its 113th rank in 2014.

5. Vijay Kelkar resigns from Tata Chemicals' Board

i. Former Finance Commission chairman Vijay Kelkar has resigned from the company’s Board.

ii. Kelkar was appointed on the Board of Tata Group firm on May 30, 2012. He has also served as chairman of the National Stock Exchange and the 13th Finance Commission, besides being adviser to Finance Minister.

iii. He is an Indian economist and academician who served as the Chairman of the Thirteenth Finance Commission constituted by the President of India. He also served as Advisor to the Union Ministry of Finance (2002–2004), and is known for his role in economic reforms in India.

iv. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian award, in January 2011.

6. Amitabh Bachchan honoured by Egypt's Academy of Arts

i. Megastar Amitabh Bachchan feels “humbled and “honoured” to have received a honorary doctorate from the Egyptian Academy of Arts for his contribution to cinema.

ii. He took to micro-blogging site Twitter to share the news.

iii.  This is the first time that the Academy of Arts has given a doctorate to an international actor.

7. Saina Nehwal reaches Malaysia Open semifinals

i. Newly crowned World No. 1 Saina Nehwal continued her rampaging run with a win over China's Sun Yu to reach the semifinals of the Malaysia Open Super Series Premier.

ii. Saina defeated Yu 21-11, 18-21, 21-17 in 1 hour and 11 minutes to set up last four clash with world no. 2 Li Xuerui of China.

8. Brendon McCullum conferred with Sir Richard Hadlee Medal for 2014-15

i. New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum has been awarded Sir Richard Hadlee medal, the country’s highest cricketing honour, for his inspirational leadership and exemplary batting at a glittering ceremony, in Auckalnd.

ii. McCullum, 33, led the Kiwis to their first World Cup final where they did lose to Australia by seven wickets at a packed MCG on March 29 but won a million fans with their entertaining show throughout the 50-over showpiece event. 

iii. With 328 runs in nine matches at a strike rate of 188.50, McCullum led by example to be named captain of the ICC’s team of the tournament.