Daily GK: 14th November 2014

1. NASA tests 3D-printed rocket engine parts

i. NASA has successfully tested 3D manufactured copper parts for rocket engines and found they could withstand the heat and pressure required for space launches.

ii. Aerojet Rocketdyne (AR) at NASA’s Glenn Research Centre in partnership with NASA successfully completed the first hot-fire tests on an advanced rocket engine thrust chamber assembly using copper alloy materials.

iii. This was the first time a series of rigorous tests confirmed that 3D manufactured copper parts could withstand the heat and pressure required of combustion engines used in space launches, NASA said.

2. Ratan Tata to be on board of Interpol Foundation

i. Tata Sons Chairman Emeritus Ratan Tata has been appointed to the board of Interpol Foundation to contribute to its two new global initiatives aimed at combating organised crime and terrorist activities by the international police organisation.

ii. Interpol Foundation said it is "honoured that Tata Sons Chairman Emeritus Ratan Tata has accepted to sit on its board of trustee and contribute to the success of the Protecting Cultural Property and Modernising Channels of International Judicial Cooperation initiatives."

iii. The initiatives are two of the five global initiatives backed by Interpol and aimed at combating organised crime and terrorist activities, the foundation said in a statement.

"Other initiatives will be announced in 2015 and entrusted to other members of the Board of Trustees," Interpol Foundation said.

3. Veteran sports scribe Chandrasekhar P Sant passed away

i. Veteran sports scribe and President of the Sports Journalists Association of Mumbai Chandrasekhar P Sant died on 13 November 2014 following a massive heart attack. He was 61.

Chandrasekhar P Sant

•    Chandrasekhar P Sant, a former sports editor of Maharashtra Times, was a long-time treasurer of the Sports Journalists Federation of India.

•    He was among the few Indian sports scribes who were present to witness Kapil Dev's team winning the coveted World Cup in England in 1983.

•    Sant was the only sports journalist to have attended the JK Bose All India Cricket tournament for sports journalists since its inception.

4. India successfully test-fires nuclear capable Prithvi-II missile

i. India today successfully test-fired its indigenously developed nuclear-capable Prithvi-II surface-to-surface missile, which has a strike range of 350 km, from a test range at Chandipur near here as part of a user trial by Army.

ii. Defence sources said the state-of-the-art missile, which is capable of carrying 500 kg to 1000 kg of warheads, was test-fired from a mobile launcher in salvo mode from launch complex-3 of Integrated Test Range at about 10.40 hrs.

5. Doctor arrested for Bilaspur sterilisation deaths

“I am being blamed for the deaths, which is incorrect. They should arrest the Chief Medical Officer of Bilaspur and District Health Officer,” Dr. R.K. Gupta said after his arrest.

i. The doctor who conducted 83 sterilisation surgeries at the government-organised family planning camp in Pendhari area of Bilaspur, has been arrested from Chhattisgarh’s Balodabajar district.

ii. R.K.Gupta had allegedly conducted 83 surgeries in five hours on November 8, 2014 after which, within a few hours, 12 women died and more than 60 had to be admitted to the hospital.

iii. However, Dr. Gupta claimed that he was "innocent" and his superiors were making him "scapegoat".

On the allegations of “criminal negligence” against him, Dr. Gupta pleaded innocence.

6. Children’s Day observed across India on 14 November

i. India on 14 November 2014 celebrated Children’s Day (known as Bal Diwas in Hindi). The day is observed to increase the awareness of people towards the rights, care and education of children.

ii. Children’s day in India is observed annually on the birthday of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India. The day is observed on Nehru’s birthday to showcase his love for children and he is also regarded as Chacha Nehru for children.

About Jawaharlal Nehru

• He was the first Prime Minister of free India

• He was born on 14 November 1889 at Allahabad

• He pursued his MA from Cambridge, England

• He was one of the follower of Mahatma Gandhi

• He has written some books like

a) Glimpses of World History

b) Discovery of India

c) His letters to his daughter, Indira were also compiled into a book, which reflects his philosophical outlook, his compassion and above all, his tender heart.