Current Affairs of February 2014

1. The 28th Surajkund International Crafts Mela started in Haryana. Goa is the theme state for this year. Sri Lanka is the partner country this year. About 20 countries are participating in the Mela.


2. The Central Statistical Office (CSO) estimated the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth for 2013-14 at 4.9 per cent. The GDP growth for 2012-13 is 4.5 per cent.
   
   According to National Association of Software and Service Companies (Nasscom) the exports of Information Technology (IT) to grow at 13-15 per cent in 2014-15.
   
   Lakshmi Swaminathan is elected as the president of administrative tribunal of Asian Development Bank (ADB). She became the first Indian to head the tribunal.
   
   Ashok Vardhan is appointed as co-head of Goldman Sachs' securities division.
   
   International Olympic Commitee (IOC) revoked the suspension of Indian Olympic Association (IOA).
   
   

   

   Courtesy : Wikipedia

   Film director and cinematographer Balu Mahendra passed away.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Autoimmune diseases are the diseases that are caused by antibodies. Antibodies are proteins synthesized by the immune system to fight foreign bacteria and viruses. In autoimmune diseases the antibodies attack the human cells.
   
   Recent Mergers and Acquisitions (M&As)
   
   
   1. Balmer Lawrie acquired Vacation Exotica.
   2. MakeMyTrip acquired EasytoBook
   3. Thomas Cook India merged Sterling Holiday Resorts.
   
   Google is working on a project called 'next generation' of internet with a target of offering data transfer speeds of 10 Gbps. At present, Google Fiber service offers data transfer speeds of 1 Gbps.
   
   Interim Budget
   The phones that cost less than Rs. 2000 were levied an excise duty of 1 per cent. Now, they are levied an excise duty of 6 per cent^[4].
   Interest subsidy on education loans taken upto March 31, 2009. Which means the union government will pay outstanding interest liability till December 31, 2013. However, the students have to pay interest from January 1, 2014^[5].
   
   The Union Government accepted "One Rank, One Pension" for ex-servicemen from 2014-15. This means the ex-servicemen of same rank and the same length of service receive same pension, irrespective of their retirement date.
   
   Abdul Basit is appointed as Pakistan high commissioner to India. He replaces Salman Bashir^[6].
   
   
   
   References:
   
   
   1. http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/gdp-estimates-show-worst-may-be-over/article5666488.ece
   2. http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-business/ashok-varadhan-to-cohead-goldman-sachs-securities-division/article5679082.ece
   3. http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/balu-mahendra-passes-away/article5687355.ece
   4. http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/cars-are-cheaper-cellphones-dearer/article5700893.ece
   5. http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/student-loan-burden-eases/article5700891.ece
   6. http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/abdul-basit-pakistan-envoy-to-india/article5700817.ece