Daily GK Updates - 11th August, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Home Minister Amit Shah releases book on VP M Venkaiah Naidu’s two years in office: Home Minister Amit Shah today released a book titled “Listening, Learning & Leading” chronicling the two years in office by Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu. The book was released in Chennai at a function organised by Information and Broadcasting Ministry. The Vice-President and the Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar were present on the occasion.

2. Jharkhand Govt launched Mukhyamantri Krishi Ashirwad Yojana: Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu launched the Jharkhand government’s ‘Mukhya Mantri Krishi Ashirwad Yojana’ under which money would be directly transferred into the bank accounts of farmers in the state. Benefit- Under the scheme, the government will give Rs 5,000 to those farmers having one acre or less agricultural land, Rs 10,000 to those having two acres, Rs 15,000 for having three acres, Rs 20,000 for having four acres and Rs 25,000 for having five acres of agricultural land.

Note: Jharkhand Capital: Ranchi; Governor- Draupadi Murmu; Chief Minister: Raghubar Das

3. Every child to get Rotavirus vaccine: The Health Ministry has drawn an ambitious plan under the 100 days agenda of the newly elected government, wherein it has been decided to provide Rotavirus vaccine to every child across all States and Union Territories by September, 2019. Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan  said that diarrhoea was one of the biggest killers in children and Rotavirus was one of the most common causes of severe diarrhoea in children less than 2 years of age.

4. Green Signal for Shaheed Dweep in Andaman & Nicobar: The environment ministry’s expert committee on Coastal projects has given the go ahead for construction of a ₹172 crore premium category island resort at ‘Shaheed Dweep’ in Andaman & Nicobar. The move comes within months of the green ministry easing up coastal zone rules and the Centre announcing ambitious island development projects in Anadman & Nicibar and Lakshadweep.

Note:  Anadman & Nicibar Capital: Port Blair

5. 9 year old, Elangbam Valentina Devi made Manipur green ambassador: 9-year-old girl from Manipur, Elangbam Valentina Devi, has been made the brand ambassador of the Chief Minister’s Green Manipur Mission and all official tree-plantation activities taken up in the State. Recently a video surfaced over the internet in which Elangbam could be seen crying after few trees were cut due to the expansion of the road. Here love towards trees was recognized by the government and hence she has been chosen as the green ambassador of the state Manipur.

6. Cochin Shipyard launched two ro pax vessels: The Cochin Shipyard has launched two ro-pax (roll-on roll-off passenger) vessels. The ro-pax was designed and built by the Cochin Shipyard for the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI). The vessels were the third and fourth in a series of 10 vessels, eight ro-pax and two ro-ro vessels, ordered by the IWAI. The vessels would be operated in National Waterways 1 and 2. The vessels are capable of accommodating 200 passengers each and will have eight crew members and can carry two trucks and four cars. Equipped with all life-saving gear, they are built to IRS standards.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Papua New Guinea has highest number of living indigenous languages: United Nations report said that the Papua New Guinea has the highest number of living indigenous languages in the world with 840. India stands fourth with 453. UN observes the year 2019 as its International Year of Indigenous Languages. UN's Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues reported that nearly 40% of the estimated 6,700 languages spoken around the world were in danger of disappearing and endangered. Totally 7,111 living languages worldwide has been listed so far. The most widely spoken languages worldwide are Chinese, Spanish, English, Hindi and Arabic. These 5 languages covers around 40% of the total worldwide languages.
Note: Papua New Guinea Capital: Port Moresby; Currency: Papua New Guinean kina (PGK); Governor: General: Bob Dadae; Prime Minister: James Marape

2. US approve 12 multi mission Seahawk helicopters to South Korea: The US government has approved the sale of 12 multi-mission Seahawk helicopters to South Korea worth $800 million. The announcement was made after the US President Donald Trump announced that South Korea had agreed to pay more for US military presence in their country. The proposal will improve the Republic of Korea Navy’s capability to perform anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare missions. The sale will assist the Republic of Korea in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability.

3. Trump Identifies India among 20 Drug Transit, Narcotic-Producing Countries: US President Donald Trump has designated India among the over 20 major drug transit or illicit drug-producing countries. In a memorandum to secretary of state Mike Pompeo, Trump said that a country’s presence on the list is not necessarily a reflection of its government’s counter-narcotic efforts or level of cooperation with the US. The countries identified in the list are Afghanistan, The Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Burma, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Laos, Mexico, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Panama, Peru and Venezuela.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Bajrang wins gold at Tbilisi, Vinesh makes Medved final: India’s top two wrestlers continued their impressive run this season with Bajrang Punia defending his title at Tbilisi Grand Prix and Vinesh Phogat reaching her fourth final at Medved event. Bajrang prevailed 2-0 over Iran’s Peiman Bibyani in the 65kg final of the men’s free style competition in the capital city of Georgia. It is the fourth gold of the season for the Asian Games champion Bajrang after standing atop the podium at Dan Kolov, Asian Championship and Ali Aliev tournament. At the Medved event in Minsk, Belarus, Vinesh outclassed local wrestler Yafremenka 11-0 in the 53kg semifinals to be in line for her fourth consecutive gold.

2. Hyderabad Open badminton: Indian Badminton champion Sourabh Verma has defeated Singapore’s Loh Kean Yew 21-13 14-21 21-16 to win the Hyderabad Open. The final event was held at Gachibowli Indoor Stadium, Hyderabad. Sourabh also won the Slovenian International in May 2019 recently. 

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. India’s first Corporate Credit Card for Startups and SMEs launched by EnKash: Business-to-business payments startup EnKash has launched India’s first corporate credit card for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The card is named ‘Freedom Card’. The Freedom Card by EnKash would give SMEs and startups the facility to avail credit for immediate needs and to manag Business-to-business payments startup EnKash has launched India’s first corporate credit card for sm e their liquidity.

2. Anurag Adlakha appointed Chief Financial Officer at Yes Bank: Anurag Adlakha has been appointed as the Chief Financial Officer of Yes Bank. Anurag Adlakha will take over from Raj Ahuja, who will now take over as group chief strategy officer, responsible for leading the strategy, planning and projects function of the bank.

3. Max Life Insurance launches 'Speed Dial - your partner for life' initiative’: Max Life Insurance Co Ltd announced the launch of the one-of-its-kind initiative, 'Speed Dial Max Life Insurance - Your Partner for Life' further reinforcing its customer obsession. Max Life Insurance Company will endeavour to assign every customer a dedicated relationship manager, known as the 'Partner for Life' for all their policy-related service needs. Through this unique initiative, the 'Partners for Life' will act as enablers to provide a one stop solution on call, shortening the average wait time a customer has to go through, to get their queries answered. They will also educate customers on the company's digital service solutions and new products offerings, if inquired.