04 February 2016 Current Affairs
International Fleet Review 2016 Visakhapatnam
The International Fleet Review 2016 is being held at Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh from 4 to 8 February 2016. The main theme of IFR 2016 is ‘United through Oceans’. A fleet review is a ceremonial and stately inspection of naval warships by the supreme commander of the armed forces, President Pranab Mukherjee. This is the second time an IFR is being held in India, the last being held off Mumbai in 2001 when APJ Abdul Kalam was the president. Twenty-nine countries had participated in that event. 50 navies, 90 ships, including 24 warships, and over 70 aircraft are participating in IFR 2016. In addition, ships of the Indian Coast Guard and mercantile marine would also be participating. Indian presidents have since reviewed Indian Navy fleets twice, in 2006, and 2011. The Indian Navy fleet for the IFR will comprise of over 75 frontline ships and submarines. The list of participating navies includes the United States of America, China, the United Kingdom, Australia, France, Canada, Russia, South Africa, Japan, South Korea, Peru, Chile, Colombia and Brazil.
Arun Jaitley inaugurated the “India Investment Summit 2016”
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on 4 February 2016 inaugurated the two-day India Investment Summit 2016. The Summit is to showcase and discuss the huge long term infrastructure investment opportunities in India. This summit seeks to attract long term investors including Sovereign Wealth Funds and Pension Funds across the globe. SBI Caps is partnering with the Department of Economic Affairs (Ministry of Finance) in organizing this summit.
World’s First Zika Virus Vaccine Made In India
Bharat Biotech on 3 February 2016 announced that it has two vaccine candidates in development for fighting the Zika virus, against which the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared a global emergency. Krishna Ella, chairman and managing director of the Hyderabad-based firm, has made announcement stating his company had already applied for patents for both inactivated and recombinant versions of the vaccine, named as ZIKAVAC, in July 2015. Bharat Biotech had started research work on Zika virus in 2014-end, and work on the inactivated vaccine has reached the stage of pre-clinical testing in animals.
12th South Asian Games to begin in North East India
The 12th South Asian games to held in Guwahati and Shillong from 5 February 2016. Over four thousand players and officials from eight countries will take part in the event. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the inaugural program at Sarusajai stadium in Guwahati on February 5. All steps taken for the smooth conduct of the first mega sports event of North Eastern region.