India’s largest purchasing power and huge market are attracting marketers from across the world. Among all the investors, Chinese investors and technology entrepreneurs comes with a Herculean investment in India’s start-up specialising in areas such as mobile gaming, education, healthcare, financial technology and Internet of Things (IoT) in India.

Here, we are giving the list of Chinese Funded Companies in India (List of India’s Start-up Company funded by Chinese Investors) for general awareness (GK).

1. Paytm
Paytm (Pay Through Mobile) is an Indian electronic payment and e-commerce company. But it is very surprising to know that the concept, inspiration and investment are from China. It is the first Indian company to receive funding from Chinese e-commerce Company Alibaba which is now raised over $625 million.

2. Hike Messenger
It is a cross-platform instant messaging services for smartphones. Recently, a new round of funding led by Chinese Internet giant Tencent Holdings and Foxconn Technology Group of Taiwan, valuing the company at about $1.4 billion.

3. Snapdeal
It is India’s one of the largest e-commerce company, has now raised $ 1.58 billion (about Rs 10,112 crore) from 23 investors. It’s top investors are SoftBank, Kalaari Capital, Nexus Ventures, and eBay Inc. You will be surprise to know, that it’s one of investor SoftBank Group has the largest shareholder in Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.

4. OLA
It is one of the India’s mobile apps based transportation network company. The Chinese car app company ‘Didi Chuying (Didi Kuaidi)’ has invested in Ola. So far, Ola has raised around Rs. 8200 crores fund through 21 investors.

5. IBIBO and Make My Trip
India’s one of the largest online travel company, MakeMyTrip recently bought the Ibibo Group and bring together the top travel brands like MakeMyTrip, goibibo, redBus, Ryde, and Rightstay under a single umbrella. Naspers (South African Based) and Tencent (Chinese investment holding company) jointly held a 91% and 9% stake in Ibibo respectively. They will become the single largest shareholder in the company.

6. Flipkart
It is Indian e-commerce Company, which was founded in 2007 by two IITians (Delhi) Sachin Bansal and Binny Bansal. Recently, it has raised biggest ever start-up funding from Tencent Holdings Ltd, eBay Inc. and Microsoft Corp.

7. MyDermacy
It is a Delhi-based online health and wellness online service Company has received an undisclosed amount of funding in a pre-series-A round of India-focused Chinese venture capital firm Cyber Carrier, which had recently invested in Zoomcar and IndiaLends.

In the above list of Chinese Funded Companies in India will give a better understanding on how 100 per cent Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in online retailer of goods and services through the automatic route marked it own space to grow and driving unit of India’s economy.

Pollutant is a substance that pollutes something, especially water or the atmosphere. It can enter the environment naturally, such as from volcanic eruptions, or through human activities, such as burning coal and gasoline. Here, we are giving the list of Major Pollutant, their sources and their effects on Humans and Environment for general awareness.

List of Major Pollutant, their sources and their effects on Humans and Environment:

1. Oxides of Carbon (COx)
Types: Carbon dioxide (CO2), Carbon monoxide (CO)
Sources of Production: Combustion of coal, oil and other fuels for energy production manufacturing and transport Biomass burning.
Effects on Humans and Environment: C02 has a major role in green-house effect, produces weak carbonic acid adding to acid rains; CO affects human health by binding to hemoglobin, which may result in asphyxia; hemoglobin has 250 times more affinity with CO as compared to that of O2.

2. Oxides of sulphur (SOx)
Types: Sulphur dioxide (SO2); Sulphur trioxide (SO3); Sulphate (SO4)
Sources of Production: Combustion of sulphur containing fuel e.g., coal, petroleum extraction and refining; paper manufacturing; municipal incinerating; ore smelting for metal extraction
Effects on Humans and Environment: SO2 has maximum deleterious effects as it damage to human and other animal lungs and is important precursor to acid rain; adverse effects include corrosion of paint, metals and injury or death to animals and plants.

3. Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx)
Type: Nitrogen oxide (NO); Nitrogen dioxide (N02); Nitrous oxide (N20) ; Nitrate (N03)
Sources of Production: Burning of fuels; biomass burning; by product in the manufacturing of fertilizers
Effects on Humans and Environment: Form the secondary pollutants: peroxy acetyl nitrate (PAN) and nitric acid (HNO3); suppression of plant growth and tissue damage; cause irritation to eyes, viral infections like influenza; nitrate form in atmosphere impairs the visibility whereas in soil promotes the plant growth.

4. Hydrocarbons (HCs) also called Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
Types: Methane (CH4), Butane (C4H10), Ethylene (C2H4), Benzene (C6H6), Propane (C3H8)
Sources of Production: Evaporation from gasoline tanks, carburettors; burning of fuels; biomass; municipal lard fills; microbial activity of sewage; industrial process involving solvents changes that occur in.
Effects on Humans and Environment: Can have carcinogenic effect on humans; higher concentrations are toxic to plants and animals; can convert into harmful compounds through complex chemical atmosphere; some are more reactive with sunlight and produce photochemical smog.

5. Other organic compounds
Types: Chlorofluoro carbon (CFCs), Formaldehyde (CH20), Methylene chloride (CH2Cl2), Trichloro Ethylene (C2HCl3), Vinyl chloride (C2H3C1), Carbon tetra chloride (CC14), Ethylene Oxide (C2H40)
Sources of Production: Aerosol sprays; foam and plastics for making disposable fast food containers; refrigeration
Effects on Humans and Environment: CFCs cause reduction in stratospheric ozone that allows greater penetration of ultraviolet light at earth surface; intensified UV radiations cause skin cancer and can have lethal effects on various; life forms.

6. Metals and other inorganic Compounds
Types: Lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), Hydrogen sulphide (H2S), Hydrogen Fluoride (HF)
Sources of Production: Oil wells and refineries; transport vehicles; municipal landfills; fertiliser, ceramic, paper, chemical and paint industries pesticides; fungicides; aluminium production; coal gasification
Effects on Humans and Environment: Cause respiratory problems, toxicity and even death to humans and other animals; damage to crops; prove to be carcinogenic.

7. Liquid droplets
Types: Sulphuric acid (H2S04), Nitric acid (HNO3) –Oil, Pesticides e.g. DDT and Malathion
Sources of Production: Agriculture pesticides; fumigation; oil refineries; reactions of pollutants in the atmosphere
Effects on Humans and Environment: Contribute to acid rains; corrosion; damage to various life forms

8. Suspended particulate Matter (SPM-solid Particles)
Types: Dust, soil, sulphate Salts, heavy metal salts, Fire particles of carbon (soot), silica, asbestos, Liquid sprays, mist etc.
Sources of Production: Fuel combustion; building constructions; mining; thermal power stations; stone crushing; industrial processes; forest fires; refuse incineration.
Effects on Humans and Environment: Have chronic effects on respiratory system; deposition on the surface of green leaves thus interfering with absorption of C02 and release of 02; blocking of sunlight; particles size that range between 0.1 to 10um, cause greatest lung damage

9. Photochemical oxidants
Types: Ozone (03), Peroxyacly Nitrates (PANs),
Sources of Production: Photochemical reactions in the atmosphere that involve sunlight, oxides of nitrogen and hydrocarbons.
Effects on Humans and Environment: Produce haze; irritation to eyes, nose and throat; respiratory problems; blocking of sunlight

Power development in India commenced at the end of the 19th century with the commissioning of electricity supply in Darjeeling during 1897. Nuclear power is one of the largest source of electricity in India after thermal, hydro-electric and renewable sources of electricity. India’s and Asia’s first nuclear reactor was the Apsara research reactor. The domestic uranium reserve in India is small and is dependent on uranium imports to fuel its nuclear power industry. Hence, from 1990s, Russia has been a major supplier of nuclear fuel to India. Here, we are giving a list of Nuclear Power Plants in India for concretising the reading of GK.

List of Nuclear Power Plants in India

1. Tarapur
Operator: Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL)
Location: Maharashtra
Type: Boiling water reactor (BWR) & Pressurized heavy water reactor (PHWR)
Total capacity (MW): 1,400

2. Rawatbhata
Operator: Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL)
Location: Rajasthan
Type: Pressurized heavy water reactor (PHWR)
Total capacity (MW): 1,180

3. Kudankulam
Operator: Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL)
Location: Tamil Nadu
Type: Water-Water Energetic Reactor (VVER)-1000
Total capacity (MW): 2,000

4. Kaiga
Operator: Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL)
Location: Karnataka
Type: Pressurized heavy water reactor (PHWR)
Total capacity (MW): 880

5. Kakrapar
Operator: Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL)
Location: Gujarat
Type: Pressurized heavy water reactor (PHWR)
Total capacity (MW): 440

6. Kalpakkam
Operator: Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL)
Location: Tamil Nadu
Type: Pressurized heavy water reactor (PHWR)
Total capacity (MW): 440

7. Narora
Operator: Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL)
Location: Uttar Pradesh
Type: Pressurized heavy water reactor (PHWR)
Total capacity (MW): 440

An Island is a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water. There are three types of Island: Continental Island; Oceanic Islands; and Tropical Island. Here, we are giving a list of the Major Islands of the World that will help the readers for enhancing general knowledge.

List of the Major Islands of the World

1. Greenland

Location: North Atlantic (Danish)

Area (sq. km): 2,175,597

2. New Guinea

Location: Southwest Pacific (West Papua [Irian Jaya], Indonesia, western part; Papua New Guinea, eastern part)

Area (sq. km): 800,311

3. Borneo

Location: West mid-Pacific (Indonesian, south part; Brunei and Malaysian, north part)

Area (sq. km): 744,108

4. Madagascar

Location: Indian Ocean (Malagasy Republic)

Area (sq. km): 587,931

5. Baffin

Location: North Atlantic (Canadian)

Area (sq. km): 507,451

List of Highest Waterfall in the World

6. Sumatra

Location: Northeast Indian Ocean (Indonesian)

Area (sq. km): 473,605

7. Honshu

Location: Sea of Japan–Pacific (Japanese)

Area (sq. km): 230,966

8. Great Britain

Location: Off coast of North-West Europe (England, Scotland, and Wales)

Area (sq. km): 229,979

9. Victoria

Location: Arctic Ocean (Canadian)

Area (sq. km): 217,291

10. Ellesmere

Location: Arctic Ocean (Canadian)

Area (sq. km): 196,236

List of Major Rivers of the World

11. Sulawesi (Celebes)

Location: West mid-Pacific (Indonesian)

Area (sq. km): 189,218

12. South Island

Location: South Pacific (New Zealand)

Area (sq. km): 151,215

13. Java

Location: Indian Ocean (Indonesian)

Area (sq. km): 132,189

14. North Island

Location: South Pacific (New Zealand)

Area (sq. km): 115,778

15. Cuba

Location: Caribbean Sea (republic)

Area (sq. km): 110,860

16. Newfoundland

Location: North Atlantic (Canadian)

Area (sq. km): 108,860

17. Luzon

Location: West mid-Pacific (Philippines)

Area (sq. km): 104,688

List of largest lakes of the World

18. Iceland

Location: North Atlantic (republic)

Area (sq. km): 103,082

19. Mindanao

Location: West mid-Pacific (Philippines)

Area (sq. km): 94,631

20. Ireland

Location: West of Great Britain (republic, south part; United Kingdom, north part)

Area (sq. km): 84,426

List of Superlatives of World Geography

21. Hokkaido

Location: Sea of Japan–Pacific (Japanese)

Area (sq. km): 83,515

22. Sakhalin (Karafuto)

Location: North of Japan (Russian)

Area (sq. km): 76,405

23. Hispaniola

Location: Caribbean Sea (Dominican Republic, east part; Haiti, west part)

Area (sq. km): 75,887

24. Banks

Location: Arctic Ocean (Canadian)

Area (sq. km): 70,028

25. Tasmania

Location: South of Australia (Australian)

Area (sq. km): 67,858

List of Major Mountain Ranges of the World

26. Sri Lanka (Ceylon)

Location: Indian Ocean (republic)

Area (sq. km): 64,491

27. Devon

Location: Arctic Ocean (Canadian)

Area (sq. km): 55,247

28. Tierra del Fuego

Location: Southern tip of South America (Argentinean, east part; Chilean, west part)

Area (sq. km): 48,187

29. Axel Heiberg

Location: Arctic Ocean (Canadian)

Area (sq. km): 43,178

List of Major Active Volcanoes of the World

30. Melville

Location: Arctic Ocean (Canadian)

Area (sq. km): 42,149

31. Kyushu

Location: Sea of Japan–Pacific (Japanese)

Area (sq. km): 42,018

32. Southampton

Location: Hudson Bay (Canadian)

Area (sq. km): 41,214

In the above list of the major Islands of the world contains the location, and area of the Islands of the World for general awareness.

Why International Day of Peace is celebrated ?

On every year 21 September The General Assembly has declared the International Day of Peace to recognise the efforts of those who have worked hard to eliminate the conflicts and promote peace. It is devoted to reinforcing the ideals of peace, both within the nations and people.
The theme for celebrating International Day of Peace 2017 is “Together for Peace: Respect, Safety and Dignity for all”.

The theme of International Day of Peace is based on the TOGETHER global campaign that promotes safety and dignity for everyone in search of a better life. TOGETHER also brings together the organistaions of the United Nations system. The United Nations 193 member countries whether the private sector, civil society, academic institutions and individual citizens in a global partnership in support of diversity, non-discrimination and acceptance of refugees and migrants.

History behind the International Day of Peace.

International Day of Peace was established by the United Nations resolution in 1981 to coincide with the opening of the General Assembly. The first Peace day was celebrated by United Nations in 1982. Officially in 2002 the General Assembly declared 21 September as the permanent date for the celebration of International Day of Peace. UN encouraged all mankind to work in cooperation for this goal and also for worldwide peace. Even during the discussion of the UN resolution it was suggested that: “Peace Day should be devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples”. This day will serve as a reminder to all people that having limitations in an organisation still it is motivating and acting as a living instrument in the service of peace.

What is the Symbol of International Day of Peace?

Its symbol is the peace dove flying with an olive branch in its beak. Basically in Judaism, Christianity and Islam a white dove is a sign for peace. It also represents “hope for peace” or a peace offering from one person to another which represents the phrase “to extend an olive branch”. Dove also reminds people its role about messenger.

How people celebrates the International Day of Peace?

The International Day of Peace is also known as Peace Day. Many people around the world participate in various activities and organise events featured for peace to motivate others and tell the importance of peace in this busy world. Events may vary from private gathering to public, various concerts and forums for huge audiences. Activities like a toast for peace, peace walks, picnics for peace, peace prayers, tree planting for peace, art exhibitions for promoting peace etc.

All about Blood Groups

Normally it is believed that the rare blood group is O negative, which is very difficult to get because it is found only in selected people. But rather than O negative there is a rarest blood group that is found in any one of the millions of people, and its name is Bombay Blood Group. This blood group is also called Rare of the Rarest Blood Group.

To donate blood to the needy and save their life is the work of virtue. Prior to donating blood, the doctor examines the blood group and ensures that the person can donate blood or not. Normally, blood group is of 4 types – A, B, AB and O. It is compulsory to match blood group before donating blood, otherwise it can be dangerous or even increase the health problems. In this article, we will study about the rarest blood group “Bombay Blood Group”.

What is the Bombay Blood Group?

This type of rarest blood type is found only in the world of 0.0004 percent of the population. Only one person in 10,000 people in India has Bombay Blood Type. It is also called HH blood type or Rare ABO blood group. This blood phenotype was first discovered by the Doctor YM Bhende in 1952.
This is called Bombay Blood because it was first found in some people of Bombay. The Hh blood group contains one antigen, the H antigen, which is found on virtually all RBCs and is the building block for the production of the antigens within the ABO blood group. To understand more, their red cells (RBC) have ABH antigens and their sera contains anti-A, anti-B, and anti-H.
Anti-H has not been discovered in the ABO group, but it has been detected in the Pre transfusion Test. This H antigen works as a building block in the ABO blood group. The lack of H antigen is known as “Bombay phenotype”.

A person with a Bombay Blood type can take and donate blood to whom?

A person with a Bombay blood group can give blood to an ABO blood group person. But they can’t receive blood from them. A person can take blood only from its own blood type ie Hh blood type.

Where Bombay Blood is found?

It is often seen that the Bombay blood type is found only in people with close blood relation. Those who hold this phenotype in Bombay will be only 0.01 per cent. If the parent has Bombay blood type, blood then there is a possibility that the child blood type will also be Hh.

Let’s see about blood grouping.

In the year 1900-1902, K. Landsteiner divided the human blood into four groups- A, B, AB and O. Except the O blood group, A, B, AB groups have corresponding antigens. Therefore, O can give blood to any blood group and so is called the universal donor. AB group is called Universal Recipient because it can take blood from A, B, AB and O i.e. from all blood groups.