Daily GK Updates - 16th June, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. 20th Anniversary of the Victory at Kargil: The nation will celebrate this year the 20th anniversary of victory in Kargil warwith the theme ‘Remember, Rejoice and Renew’. The year 2019, marks the 20th anniversary of victory in ‘Operation VIJAY’ popularly known as the ‘Kargil War’. The Kargil War will always be remembered for its strategic and tactical surprises, the self-imposed national strategy of restraint in keeping the war limited to Kargil - Siachen Sectors and swiftly executed tri-services military strategy and plans. The ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas’ celebrations for the year 2019 will be spread over three days from 25-27 July 2019 and will be organized at Dras and New Delhi. It will be celebrated with the theme ‘Remember, Rejoice and Renew’.

2. Two female scientists Ritu Kridhal and Vanitha to head Indias 2nd Moon mission Chandrayaan-2: For the first time, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has appointed two women scientists - Ritu Karidhal (as mission director) and Muthayya Vanitha (as project director) - to head the India's second Moon mission Chandrayaan-2. ISRO Chairman K Sivan announced that close to 30 percent of the ISRO team working on Chandrayaan 2 are women. Ritu Karidhal was referred as the 'Rocket Woman of India'. She became famous with the launch of the Mars Orbiter Mission where she was the deputy operations director. Muthayya Vanitha received the Best Woman Scientist award in 2006 by the Astronomical Society of India.

3. ISRO for 1st time opens its laboratories for Indian school students: The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has, for the first time, opened its laboratories for Indian school students to undergo two-week training from this year. The first batch of 108 students drawn from all states and Union Territories recently completed their exposure in its laboratories in Bengaluru, Sriharikota, Thiruvananthapuram and other places. The training module has been devised as part of its Yuva Vigyanik Karyakram (YUVIKA).

About YUVIKA: Uva VIgyani KAryakram (YUVIKA), also known as “Young Scientist Programme”. Launched in: March 2019. Objective: To impart basic knowledge on Space Technology, Space Science and Space Applications to the school children with the intent of arousing their interest in the emerging areas of Space activities.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. World's Highest Weather Stations Installed Atop Mount Everest: A team of Tribhuvan University and National Geographic Society scientists and researchers have installed the world's highest, fully automated weather stations atop Mount Everest. Total five weather stations, including one at a record height of 27,657 feet, were installed on the Earth's highest mountain above sea level.

2. Sarah Huckabee Sanders to step down as White House Press Secretary: After serving more than three years, Sarah Huckabee Sanders is stepping down from her current position as White House Press Secretary. Sanders, 36, worked on the communications team of Trump’s 2016 campaign, and later joined the White House as deputy press secretary when Trump took office. She has been appointed as the White House Press Secretary in July 2017, after Sean Spicer resigned from the position.

3. India designated as guest country at Guadalajara International Book Fair in Mexico: India designated as the Guest of Honour at the 33rd Feria Internacional del Libro de Guadalajara (Guadalajara International Book Fair)in Mexico, the National Book Trust. The book fair will held from November 30 - December 8, India pavilion at the fair will showcase over 35 Indian authors and artists, along with 15 publishing houses. Ancient and rare manuscripts including "Mahabharata" and "Ramayana" will be put on exhibition, along with photo books, handicrafts, and paintings.The exhibition will run parallel to the book fair in the pavillion
They will feature art by 40 renowned Indian women artists including Arpana Caur, Paula Sengupta, and Seema Kohli.  The "Festival of India" will showcase folk, classical and contemporary cultural programmes.

4. June month is celebrated as the LGBTQ Pride month: June month is celebrated as the Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer or questioning (LGBTQ) Pride month all over the world. The LGBTQ pride month is celebrated to commemorate the anniversary of Stonewall riots at Stonewall Inn in New York, a gathering space for LGBTQ community during the 60s. It provides role models, builds community, and represents a civil rights statement about the contributions of the LGBT community. The month is observed by United States, United Kingdom, Canada. Note: LGBT History Month originated in the United States. It was first celebrated in 1994. The commemoration of the month is to recognize the impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals have had on history locally, nationally, and internationally.

5. International Day of Family Remittances: 16 June: On 16th June 2019, International Day of Family Remittances was observed all over the world. This day recognize the contribution of migrant workers to their families and communities back home, and to the sustainable development of their native countries. The IFAD’s (International Fund for Agricultural Development) Governing Council in 2015 declared 16 June as International Day of Family Remittances. The first International Day of Family Remittances was celebrated on 16 June, 2015.
Note: International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD): Formation- 1977, Headquarter- Rome, Italy.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Australia and Qatar to be guest nations at the 2020 Copa America: Australia will be one of the two guest nations at the 2020 Copa America. Qatar will also return to 2020 tournament, which will be co-hosted by Argentina and Colombia. Qatar and Japan are the guest nations in 2019 Copa, which started on June 15 in Brazil. This year’s Copa America broadcast to a record 178 countries.

About Copa America: It is a men's international football tournament contested between national teams from CONMEBOL (South American Football Confederation). Founded: 1916, President of CONMEBOL: Alejandro Dominguez, Headquarters: Luque, Paraguay

2. Peter Gilchrist lifted Pacific International Billiards Championship title: Peter Gilchrist of Singapore defeated India’s Sourav Kothari (Kolkata) to win the 2019 Pacific International Billiards Championship at the Yarraville Club in Melbourne, Australia.