Daily GK Update - 16th June 2015

1. Union Government launched Augmented Reality Application named Sakaar

i. The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER) Jitendra Singh on 15 June 2015 launched an Augmented Reality (AR) application named Sakaar to highlight the achievements of the Department of Space.

 ii. The application has been developed by Development and Educational Communication Unit (DECU) of ISRO for Android devices. 

iii. Sakaar consists of 3D models of MOM, RISAT, rockets (PSLV, GSLV Mk-III); videos of INSAT 3D-predicting cyclones, GSLV D5/Cryo, Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) orbit insertion, launch video of MOM, 360 degree animated view of MOM; Anaglyph of Mars surface.

iv. Augmentation is in real time and the information is overlaid on the live view of the device’s camera.  Essentially, AR requires three elements: 

• Android device with back camera
• AR application
• AR Markers.

2. PM Narendra Modi launched book titled Education of Muslims by Professor JS Rajput

i. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 15 June 2015 launched a book titled Education of Muslims: An Islamic Perspective of Knowledge and Education – Indian Context edited by Professor JS Rajput.

ii. The book is aimed at informing and educating policy-makers, scholars and readers about role of Islam in pursuit of education and knowledge.

iii. The book contains 16 articles written by various scholars and historians including JS Rajput on wide ranging issues related to understanding of Islam religion, role of Islam and its educational institutions (madrasas) in dissemination of knowledge and educational status of Muslim children in India among others.

iv. JS Rajput is an accomplished educationist and historian. He is a former director of National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and Chairman, National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE).

3. UN elected Denmark's Mogens Lykketoft to head General Assembly

i. The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on 15 June 2015 elected Denmark's Mogens Lykketoft as its President for its upcoming 70th session in September 2015. 

ii. He will have tenure of one year and succeeds Uganda's Sam Kutesa to preside over the 193-member body.

iii. Lykketoft presently is the speaker of Danish Parliament since 2011 and is a member of the Social Democrats party.

iv. Earlier from 1993 to 2001, Lykketoft served Denmark as its Foreign and Finance Ministers.

4. LIC Nomura Mutual Fund CEO Nilesh Sathe appointed member, life at IRDAI

i. The government has appointed Nilesh Sathe, Chief Executive Officer of LIC Nomura Mutual Fund Asset Management Company, as the member-life of insurance regulator IRDAI.

ii. The post was lying vacant since the retirement of S Roy Chowdhury in February 2014. 

iii. Sathe will be joining the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) on July 1 and have a four-year long tenure at the Hyderabad-headquartered insurance sector watchdog.

iv. Sathe held various positions in LIC, which include Executive Director (marketing) and Senior Divisional Manager in Mumbai.

5. Indian Railways names Haridwar Mail as Yoga Express

i. Indian Railways has named Haridwar Mail as Yoga Express with an immediate effect.

ii. In this regard the train No 19031/19032 Ahmedabad-Haridwar-Ahmedabad famously known as Haridwar Mail has been christened as Yoga Express.

iii. This decision was taken by Indian Railways before celebration of first ‘International Yoga Day’ on 21st June which will be observed as global event.

6. Sunil Chhetri becomes first Indian to score 50 international goals

i. Prolific striker Sunil Chhetri on Tuesday became the first Indian footballer to score 50 international goals during his team's 2018 World Cup qualifying match against Guam.

ii. Chhetri's feat, though, came in a losing cause, as India suffered their second successive defeat in the preliminary joint qualification second round.

iii. Former captain Bhaichung Bhutia stays at the second spot with 42 goals in 107 matches while IM Vijayan has 40 goals from 79 games. This meanwhile, was Chhetri's 87th match.

iv. For the record, it was Chhetri who scored India's all the goals in the team's four joint preliminary round 2018 World Cup qualifying games so far.