Daily GK Update - 4th Oct 2014

1.    India sign off 8th in Asiad medals tally

i. India on Saturday ended their 17th Asian Games campaign at the eighth spot on the medals tally, a drop of two positions from the previous edition of the mega-event which drew to a close.

ii. India signed off with 57 medals -- 11 gold, 10 silver and 36 bronze. The tally dipped considerably compared to the 2010 edition in Guangzhou, China. 
iii. In 2010, the country had ended sixth with 65 medals -- 14 gold, 17 silver and 34 bronze. 
iv. As expected China ended their campaign on top claiming a whopping 342 medals. 
v. The Chinese contingent walked away with 151 gold, 108 silver and 83 bronze medals. 
vi. Hosts South Korea finished a distant second with 234 medals -- 79 gold, 71 silver and 77 bronze. 
vii. They were followed by the Japanese, who notched up 200 medals, including 47 gold, 76 silver and 77 bronze. 

2.    China test fires 10,000-km range nuclear missile

i. China has flight tested an upgraded version of its 10,000-km range Dongfeng missile which can reach most of the US and European cities, demonstrating its nuclear capability, media reports said.

ii. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) launched a Dongfeng-31B on September 25, days before its October 1 National Day from the Wuzhai Missile and Space Test Centre, also called Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre in Shanxi province, Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post said quoting US media reports.

iii. The DF-31B is an upgraded version of the DF-31A and the launch was at least the second time the PLA’s Second Artillery Corps had tested a DF-31 missile in the past three months.

3.    Prime Minister connected to people over radio with programme, Mann Ki Baat

i. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 3 October 2014 addressed the countrymen over radio for the first time in his programme Mann Ki Baat. Mann ki Baat is a new initiative of Modi to reach out to maximum populace

ii. In his address, he advocated for use of Khadi products as homage to Mahatma Gandhi and said that the use of Khadi at least as a handkerchief or bed sheet would benefit poor and light the lamp of prosperity in their house. He also impressed upon people to generate confidence among them including the specially-able children.

iii. He promised to make such radio broadcast a regular affair and invited ideas from the citizens while noting that he had been receiving a number of suggestions since it was announced that he would be addressing the nation over radio.

4.    32 people killed in Stampede at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan

i. A stampede occurred at Gandhi Maidan in Patna during the Ram Leela ceremony on 3 October 2014. In the stampede at least 32 people were killed and about 15 were injured. The injured have been admitted to the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH).

ii. The tragedy occurred at the time when people were returning from the ground after watching the Ravan Vadh (killing of demon king) ceremony.

iii. After the incident the state and union government announced a relief compensation of 3 lakh rupees and 2 lakh rupees, respectively for the families of the dead. Apart from this, the State Home Secretary and Additional Director General of Police have ordered a high level probe into the incident. The probe team has been asked to submit the report within 24 hours. 

5.    British aid worker Alan Henning beheaded by ISIS militants

i. The British aid worker, Alan Henning was beheaded by Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) militants. The militants group fighting in Iraq and Syria on 3 October 2014 posted a video that shows, the British-accented Jihadist known as Jihadi John beheading Henning. 

ii. Henning, a 47-year-old from Manchester in England was kidnapped in December 2013. He volunteered to help drive an aid convoy to Syria for a Muslim country.

iii. Henning is the second British national and fourth Western hostage killed in the same manner. Apart from Henning other three are David Haines (a Briton), James Foley (American) and Steven Sotloff (American). 

6.    Half of tatkal tickets on 80 trains to be costlier

i. Half of the tatkal tickets on 80 trains have become costlier with the railways deciding to partially implement the dynamic fare system under which charges will depend on demand.

ii. The decision, clearly aimed at mopping up more revenues by the cash-strapped railways, comes in the midst of festival season when there is a big rush of train travellers. 
iii. "It has been decided that 50 per cent of the existing tatkal quota ticket shall be sold under dynamic fare scheme," said a senior Railway Ministry official on Thursday. 
iv. As per the scheme, 50 percent of tatkal quota tickets would be sold under the existing system and the subsequent 50 percent under 'premium tatkal' quota of dynamic pricing. It will mean more the demand, more the cost. 
v. The 'Premium Tatkal Ticket' scheme will be applicable to 80 trains from 1st October and like Premium train, the scheme will be available online only. 

vi. Some trains which have been identified for implementation of the scheme are Hyderabad-New Delhi Andhra Pradesh Express, Hyderabad-Hazrat Nizamuddin Dakshin Express, Secunderabad-Howrah Falaknuma Express, Kacheguda-Bangalore Express and Secunderabad-Patna Express