HDFC Banks ATM Network to Sell Loans to Non-Customers Too

HDFC Bank, which has emerged as the most valuable lender on the back of its strong retail book, is now throwing its weight behind automated loan processing to consolidate its position in the personal loans segment. The bank is now using its ATM network to grab new customers, including those of other banks who happen to use the bank's ATMs.
CISCO buy JASPER
Cisco Systems Inc on 3.2.2016 Wednesday it was buying Jasper Technologies Inc., a start-up that connects devices such as cars and medical devices to the Internet, for $1.4 billion in cash and equity awards, its largest acquisition since 2013. In addition to connecting devices to the Internet, Jasper makes a software platform that helps monitor these devices once they are online .Rob Salvagno, Cisco’s Vice-President of Corporate Development, said in an interview that the Internet of Things has been a priority for Cisco for the past few years. Jasper is the largest deal for Cisco since it acquired security company Sourcefire for $2.7 billion in 2013.
‘SBI FLEXIPAY HOME LOAN’
State Bank of India on Monday introduced a new home loan scheme ‘SBI FlexiPay Home Loan’ for young working professionals/executives. Under the scheme, borrowers will get higher loan amount compared to their loan eligibility under normal home loan schemes and they will also have the option of step-up monthly repayments.India’s largest bank, in a statement, said the additional loan amount under ‘FlexiPay’ will help working professionals/executives acquire better and spacious living spaces for themselves and their families, taking into account their future needs.
50% QUOTA FOR WOMEN IN PANCHAYATS
Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Birender Singh, has said the government would be pushing a Constitutional amendment, first cleared by the UPA Cabinet, to increase reservation for women in panchayats from 33 per cent to 50 per cent in the budget session of Parliament.

The UPA government’s Cabinet had, in its second term, cleared the Constitution 110th Amendment and the Standing Committee on Rural Development had also gone through the Bill as per norms. The Bill had first been introduced in the Lok Sabha in November 2009, after which it went through the committee process. It was re-introduced in the Lok Sabha in 2010 after the report had been tabled, after which it lapsed at the end of the 15th Lok Sabha in 2014.

The Constitutional Amendment was to ensure that 50% of total seats filled by direct elections in every panchayat be reserved for women.

Among the States that already follow 50% reservation for women in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) are Bihar, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh.

Panchayats Extension to the Scheduled Areas (PESA)
IPL 2016: RAJKOT FRANCHISE NAMED GUJARAT LIONS
The Rajkot franchise has been named the Gujarat Lions after an online poll. The new IPL side will be led by Suresh Raina. Gujarat Lions along with Rising Pune  Supergiants will play the next two editions of the Indian Super League after the Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals were banned for two years following the IPL betting scandal.
INDIA BECOMES ASSOCIATE MEMBER OF EUROPEAN SCIENCE BODY
The Ministry of Science and Technology today signed an agreement to acquire the status of Associate Member State of European Molecular Biology Organisation (EMBO). Researchers working in India will now be eligible to participate in all EMBO programmes and activities and Indian scientists can apply for its programmes, such as long-term fellowships for postdoctoral researchers, short-term fellowships, courses and workshops, as well as the EMBO Young Investigator Programme. The move would strengthen interaction and collaborative research between India and Europe in this field. After Singapore signed an agreement with European Molecular Biology Conference (EMBC) in July 2015, India has become the second country, outside the European region, to be an Associate Member State. EMBO is an organisation of more than 1700 leading researchers that promotes excellence in the life sciences with an aim to support talented researchers at all stages of their careers and stimulate the exchange of scientific information.
VIETNAM INAUGURATES WORLD’S LONGEST 3-ROPE CABLE CAR SYSTEM
The world's longest three-rope cable car system was inaugurated in Vietnam's Lao Cai province on 2.2.2016 Tuesday. With a total length of 6,292.5 meters, the system was recognized by the Guinness World Records as the world's longest three-rope cable car route, and also the world's biggest height gap between its departure and arrival stations of 1,410 meters, Xinhua news agency reported.


 ONE EXTRA MARK :
 CANADA’S FIRST SIKH DEFENSE MINISTER :  HARJIT SAJJAN