current affairs 15 May 2015

India, China signed agreements to boost ties in trade, economy, education.

The agreements signed are

• In the field of Railways which will enable India to seek Chinese cooperation to introduce high speed rails on Delhi-Nagpur Sector, and increase track speed on Chennai-Benguluru-Mysore route. As part of MoU, China will also extend assistance in establishment of Railway University in India.
• Agreements were signed to strengthen cooperation in the fields of trade and investment and other fields and for establishing relationship at the provincial, city and municipality level between India and China.
• Agreement to open consulate General offices in Chengdu and Chennai to facilitate trade and economic engagement and people-to-people exchanges.
• Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and China’s Fudan University signed an agreement for establishment of Centre for Gandhian and Indian Studies at Fudan University and Yoga College in Kunming.
• Agreements to enhance increase cooperation in the field of vocational education. It will facilitate China to extend assistance in establishment of vocational training institutes in India.
• An action plan on cooperation in setting up of the Mahatma Gandhi National Institute for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in Gujarat.
• Both nations also signed Space Cooperation Outline for 5 years.

 USTAAD Scheme launched by Union Ministry of Minority Affairs.

• The aim of the scheme is to preserve rich heritage of traditional arts and crafts of minorities and build capacity of traditional artisans and craftsmen.

sbiINTOUCH the contact-less card launched by SBI.

• These cards are based upon the latest near-field technology (NFC). 
• With these cards, a customer can transact by just tapping or waving it against the reader of the point-of-sale machine.
• These cards are more secure, annoyance-free and come with a fraud accountability cover of Rupees 1 lakh.

kayakalp Award Scheme launched by Union Government.

• To promote cleanliness, hygiene and infection control practices in public health care facilities