Daily GK Updates - 18th August, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Jal Jeevan Mission scheme to be launched: Government to launch the Jal Jeevan Mission scheme. The scheme aims to bring piped water to households. The estimated cost of the project is more than Rs.3.5 lakh crore. The scheme functions under the Jal Shakti Ministry. It aims to work with state governments to ensure Har Ghar Jal to all rural households by 2024. Under the first phase of the scheme, the government is to focus on rainwater harvesting and water conservation in 256 districts and carry out other initiatives. It includes renovation of traditional water bodies and tanks, reuse of water and recharge structures, watershed development and intensive afforestation.

2. India’s Largest Rural Sanitation Survey Launched: Jal Shakti Minister Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat launched the Swachh Survekshan Gramin 2019 (SSG 2019). The scheme instituted from August 14 to September 30, 2019. SSG 2019 will cover 17,450 villages in 698 districts across India. It includes 87,250 public places namely schools, Anganwadi centers, public health centers, haat/bazaars/religious places. Around 2,50,000 citizens will be interviewed for the survey. Citizens will also be mobilised to provide feedback on sanitation relation related issues online using an application developed for the purpose. The independent survey agency will conduct the survey in all districts.

3. Tamil Nadu trifurcates Vellore district to form new districts: The MLAs (Member of the Legislative Assembly) and the general public, the chief minister of Tamil Nadu Shri Edappadi K Palaniswami made an announcement on trifurcation of Vellore district. Ranipet and Tirupattur will be the new districts carved out of Vellore. After the trifurcation, TamilNadu now has 37 districts. The K V Kuppam of Vellore district would be upgraded to a new taluka. In July 2019, Chengalpet and Tenkasi were made new districts carved out from Kancheepuram and Tirunelveli districts respectively. The district of Kalakurichi was carved out from Villupuram district.

4. Dr Harsh Vardhan inaugurates Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences: On the first death anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the Union Health Minister of India Harsh Vardhan inaugurated the medical college named after the late Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, at the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in New Delhi. Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Ashwini Choubey, Delhi Lt Governor Anil Baijal, Member of Parliament Meenakshi Lekhi and Department of Health and Family Welfare Secretary Preeti Sudan, who were also present on the occasion, paid their tributes to Vajpayee.

Note: Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medic al Sciences (ABVIMS) started with 100 MBBS seats this year. It will be a state-of-art medical college with reputed faculties and world class infrastructure. The super specialty block has more than 550 beds and the new Resident Doctors' Hostel has 827 bed units

5. Odisha CM announces ‘Mo Sarkar or My Government programme’: Odisha’s chief minister Naveen Patnaik announced he will launch the ‘Mo Sarkar’ or My Government programme on October 2 to make state-run hospitals and offices and the police more accountable and responsive to people’s needs. Under the ‘Mo Sarkar’ programme he will call up people and enquire about the quality of services being provided at police stations and hospitals from October 2, Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary.

Note: Odisha Capital: Bhubaneswar; Governor: Ganeshi Lal

6. Indian Railways to get CORAS: Ministry of Railways and Commerce & Industry launched Commando for Railway Security (CORAS) of Indian Railways. It was launched by Shri Piyush Goyal. He also launched a new establishment manual for Railway Protection Force (RPF). The induction of CORAS was planned in RPF. The launch of CORAS is aimed at providing security to the Railway passengers. It has been launched to meet the challenges to Railway security. It also ensures to develop world level capabilities of specialized responder for any situation pertaining to damage, disturbance, disruption of train operations, attack/hostage/hijack, disaster situations in railway areas.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. PM is on a two day state visit to Bhutan: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a two-day state visit to Bhutan. The two leader will hold talks to further deepen the bilateral ties. This is PM Modi's second visit to Bhutan and the first since his re-election. India and Bhutan discussed steps to further expand the bilateral partnership across several sectors and the two countries signed 10 memoranda of understanding in space research, aviation, IT, power and education. Modi also launched RuPay Card in Bhutan by making a purchase at Simtokha Dzong, which functions as a monastic and administrative centre and is one of the oldest dzongs in Bhutan.

Note: Bhutan Prime minister: Lotay Tshering; Capital: Thimphu; Currency-Ngultrum

2. Fifth Meeting of BRICS Minister of Environment Held in Sao Paulo, Brazil: Fifth BRICS Minister of Environment Meeting held in Sao Paulo, Brazil. It is preceded by the 2-day meeting of BRICS Joint Working Group on Environment. The Indian delegation led by Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Prakash Javadekar. While addressing the meeting, Mr. Prakash Javadekar stated that India has achieved its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under Paris Agreement, reduction of energy intensity by 25 %, increment of forest cover by nearly 15,000 sqkm , Swachh Bharat Mission initiative, Waste Management Rules. He appreciated the initiatives of BRICS countries and reaffirmed India’s support to BRICS cooperation. He also invited the BRICS Ministers delegations to join at 14th CoP (Conference of Parties ) scheduled to be held from  2-13 September 2019 and contribute to the efforts to combat desertification and land degradation.

Note: Brazil Capital: Brasilia, Currency: Brazilian real

3. Denmarks Jyske Bank unveiled world’s first negative interest rate home loan: Denmark’s third-largest bank Jyske Bank launched the world’s first negative interest rate mortgage. The bank handling out loans to homeowners where the charge is minus 0.5% a year. It has begun offering borrowers a 10-year deal at -0.5%. Jyske bank borrowers will make a monthly repayment, as usual, The amount still outstanding will be reduced each month by more than the borrower. Negative interest rates effectively mean that a bank pays a borrower to take money off their hands, so they pay back less than they have been loaned.
Note: Jyske Bank Founded: 1967; Headquarters: Silkeborg, Denmark; CEO: Anders Dam

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. New Delhi to host Indian Grand Prix on September 5: The Athletics Federation of India will organise the Indian Grand Prix-VI in the national capital on September 5 to give its track and field athletes one last chance to qualify for the World Championships . “The Indian Grand Prix which was scheduled for 5th September 2019 at Chennai will now be held at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi on same date. This will be the Indian Grand Prix - VI,” the AFI said in a circular to its affiliated units. Male athletes can compete in 400m hurdles, pole vault, long jump, triple jump, shot put, javelin throw and 4x400m relay. For women, the events will be 100m, 200m, 400m and the long jump.

2. Hima Das, Anas win gold in 300m in Czech Republic: This was Hima Das’ sixth gold in European races since July 2 though the field in most of them has been mediocre. Her last win was on July 20 when she clinched a gold in her pet 400m event at Nove Mesto in Czech Republic. Mohammad Anason the other hand, won the men’s 300m race in 32.41 seconds.

Note: Czech Republic Capital: Prague; Currency: Czech koruna

3. India win gold at U-12 Asian Tennis Team championship in Kazakhstan: India has won gold at the Under 12 Asian Tennis Team championship held in Kazakhstan. India defeated Chinese Taipei 2-1 in the summit clash to win the title. The team comprised Manas Dhamme, Arnav Paprakar and Tamil Nadu’s Pranav Rethin. Manas and Rethin won their singles matches.

Note: Kazakhstan Capital: Nur-Sultan; Currency: Kazakhstani tenge

4. Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik inaugurates new hockey academy in Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik, inaugurated a high-performance hockey centre Naval Tata Hockey Academy (NTHA). The main aim is to groom sports talent in the state. The newly opened centre will produce young Olympians. NTHA Odisha will be operated from the existing infrastructure that was set-up to host the Odisha Men's Hockey World Cup in 2018 in Bhubaneswar. Bovelander Hockey Academy from the Netherlands, founded by the European Champion, World Champion and three-time Olympian, Floris Jan Bovelander will be the technical partner in the programme.

AWARDS AND HONOURS

1. Bajrang Punia to get Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award 2019: Ace wrestler Bajrang Punia is set to be awarded with the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award 2019- the country's highest sporting honour. Punia will be rewarded with the award for his consistent showing in the field of wrestling and his contribution in bringing laurels to the country. Punia alongwith Vinesh Phogat were recommended by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) for the prestigious award.

Note: Last year, Indian cricket team skipper Virat Kohli and weightlifter Mirabai Chanu were awarded with the Khel Ratna Award. The first recipient of the award was Chess Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand, who was honoured for his performance in the year 1991-92.

DEFENCE

1. INS Tarkash participates in KONKAN bilateral exercise: The 14th Edition of KONKAN series of annual bilateral exercises between Indian Navy and Royal Navy of Britain is currently underway off the South Coast of UK. “KONKAN aims to promote mutual understanding and provide exposure to operating procedures, communication measures and best practices. This allows both Navies to develop greater confidence to operate together during maritime missions.

2. Fifth Army International Scout Masters Competition Concludes at Jaisalmer Military Station: Indian Army team comprehensively won the 5th Army International Scout Masters Competition. It is held at Jaisalmer Teams from Armenia, Belarus, China, Kazakhstan, Russia, Sudan and Uzbekistan participated. The Closing Ceremony of the Fifth Army International Scout Masters Competition 2019 held in Jaisalmer. Honorable Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh was the Chief Guest. The ceremony was attended by General Bipin Rawat, Chief of the Army Staff, Lieutenant General SK Saini, Army Commander, Southern Command, delegations of participating countries, members of the International Organising Committee and several civil and military dignitaries.

OBITUARIES

1. Veteran DD News anchor Neelum Sharma passes away: Anchors of DD News and Nari Shakti awardee Neelum Sharma died on Saturday at the age of 50. The anchor of programmes such as ‘Badi Charcha’ and ‘Tejasvini’ was recently awarded with the Nari Shakti Puraskar.