Daily GK Updates - 26th September, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. 112 single emergency helpline number launched in Delhi: A single emergency number ‘112’ has been launched for police, fire and ambulance emergency services. Now, the citizens of Delhi can avail the facility of all these three emergency services by dialling the number '112'. This call immediately passes to the Control Room for providing immediate assistance to the distress caller. Minister of State for Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy today inaugurated the Emergency Response Support System. Under this, the call simultaneously passes to Police Control Room as well as to at- least nearby 5 persons through a mobile app, which are volunteers to help the people in need.

2. Home minister Amit Shah launches private security agency licensing portal in New Delhi: The Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah launched ‘Private Security Agency Licensing Portal’ in New Delhi in order to help in reducing formalities in getting license to the private security agencies. Information such as no. of licensed agencies will also be available in the portal in order to prevent fraudulent activities. This portal will be regulated under The Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Act, 2005. This portal will also help people in cross checking police verification of all security guard and will be made available in languages like Hindi, Gujarati, Telugu and Tamil within 3 months.

3. Madhuri Dixit to be Maharashtra poll goodwill ambassador: Actor Madhuri Dixit has been chosen as "goodwill ambassador" by the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) in Maharashtra to create awareness among people about the importance of voting. Madhuri Dixit will be seen in a video titled ‘Let’s Vote' speaking about the democratic process and role of voters in the development of the country. Maharashtra State Assembly polls are scheduled for 21st October and results will be declared on 24th October 2019.

4. Govt Reconstitutes EAC-PM for Two Years Till 2021: Centre has reconstituted the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) for a period of two years. Bibek Debroy of Niti Aayog continues to be the Chairman of the EAC-PM. The reconstituted advisory panel will be effective from September 26, 2019. The strength of the reconstituted EAC-PM has been reduced from five to four, comprising of two full-time members and two part-time members.

Members of reconstituted EAC-PM: (1) Bibek Debroy- Chairman (full-time); (2) Ratan Watal (Niti Aayog’s principal advisor and former Finance Secretary)- Member Secretary (full-time); (3) Sajjid Chenoy (India economist at JP Morgan)- part-time member; (4) Ashima Goyal (Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research professor)- part-time member.

5. General Bipin Rawat to take over as Chairman COSC: Army Chief General Bipin Rawat will take over as the new Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC). He will replace Air Chief BS Dhanoa as the Chairman COSC as Air Chief BS Dhanoa is set to retire. The Chairman Chiefs of Staffs Committee is the senior most officer in the three defense forces. Soon the Chairman COSC will be replaced with the post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).

6. AYUSH Ministry Launches ‘Professor Ayushman’ Comic Book to Teach Children Ayurveda Treatment: The AYUSH Ministry has unveiled a comic book series for children with ‘Professor Ayushman’ as the central character to make them aware of the importance of medicinal plants and their use for home remedies in New Delhi. The comic book has been developed by the National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB). The comic book, conceived by the National Medicinal Plants Board, talks about plants like Aloe Vera, Tulsi, Amla, Giloy, Neem, Ashvagandha and Brahmi. This book is available for free and could be bought by schools approaching NMPB.

7. Book titled ‘Reset: Regaining India’s Economic Legacy’ authored by Subramanian Swamy launched: Former president Pranab Mukherjee has launched a book titled ‘Reset: Regaining India’s Economic Legacy’ authored by BJP MP Subramanian Swamy in New Delhi. The book tracks the country’s economic development over the years and offers solutions for future growth. The book has been published by Rupa Publications India.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Bulgaria's Kristalina Georgieva appointed new IMF chief: Bulgarian economist Kristalina Georgieva (66-years) has been selected as the new managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a five-year term starting on 1st October. She will succeed Christine Lagarde, who is leaving to become head of the European Central Bank (ECB). Ms Georgieva is the first person from an emerging market economy to lead the IMF. Prior to this, she was the Chief Executive Officer of the World Bank in January 2017. She was also the interim president of the World Bank Group from February 1– April 8, 2019.

Note: It is an international organization which promotes international monetary cooperation and provides policy advice and technical assistance to help countries build and maintain strong economies. It presently has 189 member countries. Headquarters: Washington, D.C. (United States).

2. PM Modi Announces $14 Million Grant to Caricom: The first-ever India-Caricom Leaders’ Summit was held in New York on September 25, 2019. During the summit, PM Modi announced USD 14 million grant for community development projects in the grouping of Caribbean Nations. Another 150 million line of credit was announced for solar, renewable energy and climate change related projects in the Caricom. The Caribbean Community (Caricom) is an organisation of fifteen member states and five associate members formed in 1973 to promote economic growth and trade.

3. World Maritime Day 2019: September 26: Every year the World Maritime Day is observed on the last Thursday of September to celebrate the international maritime industry’s contribution towards the world’s economy, especially in shipping. In 2019, World Maritime Day is being observed on September 26. 2019 theme- “Empowering Women in the Maritime Community”. This year's theme provides an opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of gender equality, in line with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and to highlight the important - yet under-utilized - contribution of women within the maritime sector.

Note: The National Maritime Day 2019 was observed on 5th April 2019. WMD was first observed in 1978 and it also marks date of adaptation of International Maritime Organization (IMO) Convention in 1958.

4. International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons: September 26: The United Nations recognised International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons is observed every year on September 26. The day creates public awareness on nuclear disarmament matters, educates people on the potential threat by nuclear weapons and stresses the need for their elimination. It was declared by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2013 and was first celebrated in 2014.

5. World Environmental Health Day: September 26: World Environmental Health Day (WEHD) was observed on September 26, 2019 under the theme “Climate change challenges, time for global Environmental Health to act in unison”. The day was declared by the International Federation of Environmental Health (IFEH) to review environmental health issues and take appropriate actions. It was first observed in the year 2011 in Indonesia.

6. World’s biggest transport spaceship Kounotori8 launched by Japan: Japan’s unmanned H-2B rocket lifted off with cargo vessel Kounotori8 towards the International Space Station (ISS) from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s (JAXA) Tanegashima Space Center in southwestern Japan, which is considered as the world’s biggest transport spaceship. It intends to deliver about 5.3 tonnes of supplies to astronauts at the ISS. Kounotori8 means “white stork” in Japanese. The main contractor for the Japanese H-2B rocket was Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI).

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Indian duo of Pankaj Advani and Aditya Mehta clinched IBSF World Snooker Team Championship 2019: The Indian duo of Pankaj Advani and Aditya Mehta clinched International Billiards & Snooker Federation (IBSF) World Snooker Team Championship 2019 held in Mandalay, Myanmar by defeating Thailand’s C.Pongsakorn and D.Poramin by 5-2. It was the 23rd world title for Advani and the first title for Mehta.

Note: Myanmar Open Billiards 2019 which consisted of the 150 Up World Billiards Championship and World 6Reds, World Team Snooker championships 2019 was held from September 9-25, 2019 and was hosted by Myanmar Billiards & Snooker Federation (MBSF).

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. ADB cuts India’s GDP growth forecast to 6.5% from 7% for FY 2019-20: The Manila-headquartered Asian Development Bank (ADB) in its Asian Development Outlook (ADO) 2019 update cut India’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product) growth to 6.5% from 7% for FY 2019-20 after growth slowed down to 5% in the Q1 April–June FY 2019-20 which is a six-year low in the first quarter.  The reasons for the decline are unexpected decline in manufacturing and investment, subdued lending by banks and other financial institutions, stress in the rural economy, and a weakening external outlook. It predicted that India is expected to rebound to 7.2% growth in the FY 2020-21. South Asia’s growth forecasts are lowered to 6.2% for 2019 and 6.7% for 2020.

Note: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is a regional development bank established on 19th December 1966, Headquartered in the city of Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, Philippines. ADB has 68 members: 49 members from the Asian and Pacific Region, 19 members from Other Regions.

2. PNB Launches Preventive Vigilance Portal: In order to promote vigilance awareness, the Punjab National Bank (PNB) has introduced 1st of its kind Preventive Vigilance (PV) portal to facilitate all staff members to contribute towards arresting procedural lapses and unhealthy practices and promote coherent climate conducive to banking for the modern age. The portal was launched by Central Vigilance Commissioner Sharad Kumar during a function held at PNB Corporate Office. In a bid to promote a central theme of ‘Integrity- A way of Life’, the bank introduced e-pledge mission, social outreach through technological platforms & modern technology based solutions through the Preventive Vigilance (PV) portal.

Note: PNB Headquarters: New Delhi; Managing Director: Sunil Mehta

3. Airtel payments bank joins hands with HDFC ERGO to offer mosquito-borne diseases protection policy: India’s first Payments Bank, the Airtel Payments Bank has joined hands with India’s leading private sector general insurance company, HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company to offer unique Mosquito Diseases Protection Policy (MDPP) to protect against mosquito-borne diseases. This partnership aims to contribute to the financial inclusion of the country through the strong distribution network of Airtel Payments Bank and strong innovation of HDFC ERGO (Housing Development Finance Corporation Ltd). The MDPP will provide cover on 7 common mosquito-borne diseases, including Dengue, Malaria, Chikungunya, Japanese Encephalitis, Kala-azar, Lymphatic Filariasis (Elephantiasis) and Zika virus. The product, which is part of HDFC Ergo’s ‘wallet insurance portfolio’, will be offered to Airtel Payments Bank remittance consumers at a nominal premium of Rs 99 per year.

Note: Airtel Payments Bank Headquarters: New Delhi; MD, CEO: Anubrata Biswas

HDFC ERGO Headquarters: Mumbai; Managing Director & CEO: Mr. Ritesh Kumar

4. Hyundai motor signs agreement with BoB for vehicle finance: Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) has signed an agreement with Bank of Baroda (BoB) to provide preferred financing to its dealers and consumers. Under this partnership, BoB will create a detailed financing structure (as per its existing product program of supply chain finance) for customers and dealers, which will help the bank, expand its presence in the Hyundai Motor India Limited network.

Note: HMIL Founded: 6 May 1996; Headquarters: Chennai, Tamil Nadu; CEO: Seon Seob Kim

BoB Headquarters: Vadodara, Gujarat; MD & CEO: P. S. Jayakumar

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

1. HDFC Bank retains the top spot in India’s Most Valuable Brand for the 6th consecutive year: WPP and Kantar Millward Brown report 2019: As per the report, “BrandZ Top 75 Most Valuable Indian Brands 2019 ranking” released by WPP and Kantar Millward Brown, HDFC Bank (Housing Development Finance Corporation Limited) was declared the country’s most valuable brand for the sixth consecutive year with the brand value of $ 22.70 billion (1.61 lakh crore rupees). The aggregate value of the top 75 brands rose to $228.2 billion, increasing at a moderate 6 % against 2018, far slower than 34 % recorded in 2017.

Top 5 Valuable Brands of the Country:

Rank	Brand	Category	Brand value (Rupees)	Change in value
1	HDFC bank	Bank	1.61 Lakh Crore	5%
2	LIC	Insurance	1.43 Lakh Crore	2%
3	TCS (Tata Consultancy Services)	Technology	1.29 Lakh Crore	21%
4	Airtel	Telecom	72,988 Crore	-10%
5	SBI (State Bank of India)	Bank	59,640 crores	7%

About the BrandZ top 75Most Valuable Indian Brands Ranking: It was commissioned by WPP (a British multinational advertising and public relations company). The valuation behind the brands was conducted by brand equity research experts Kantar.

Note: HDFC bank Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra; Managing Director: Aditya Puri

WPP Headquarters: London, United Kingdom; Chief Executive Officer: Mark Read

2. India ranked 44th in world digital competitiveness rankings: India has been ranked at 44th position in terms of digital competitiveness in the world as per the IMD World Digital Competitiveness Ranking 2019 (WDCR). The US has been ranked at 1st place in the IMD World Digital Competitiveness Ranking 2019. Singapore is second, Sweden is third, and Denmark is fourth while Switzerland is fifth.

3. UNCTAD predicts India’s GDP growth rate for 2019 at 6%: The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in its Trade and Development Report 2019 forecasted India’s economic growth rate at a 7-year low of 6% in calendar year (CY) 2019 from 7.4% in 2018. The estimates were reduced due to sharp fall of growth to 5.8% in the first quarter of CY19, the risk of shadow banking in countries such as India and China, lower-than-targeted tax collections and limited public spending.

Note: UNCTAD: Formation: 30 December 1964; Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland; Secretary General: Dr Mukhisa Kituyi

AWARDS AND HONOURS

1. Rajasthan’s Payal Jangir becomes the first Indian to receive the Changemaker Award 2019: Rajasthan’s Payal Jangir, aged 17, became the first Indian to receive the Changemaker Award 2019 at the Goalkeepers Global Goals Awards 2019 presented by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation at a ceremony held in New York, United States. She hails from Hinsla village, Rajasthan and was awarded for her work towards the abolition of child marriage in her village and other neighbouring areas. She is the President of her village’s Children’s Parliament (Bal Panchayat).

OBITUARIES

1. Telugu film actor Venu Madhav passes away: Popular Telugu film comedian ‘Venu Madhav’ (39-years) passed away at the Yashoda Hospital in Hyderabad. Venu Madhav (born in Kodad in Suryapet district) wasn’t active in cinema for quite a while owing to his ill health. Venu Madhav has acted in around 170 movies in a career spanning over two decades.

2. Former French president Jacques René Chirac passed away: A two-term (1995-2007) French president Jacques René Chirac, aged 86, passed away in Paris, France. Born 29 November 1932 in Paris, he was the first leader to accept France’s role in the Holocaust (World War II genocide) and opposed the United States invasion on Iraq in 2003. Nicknamed as “Le Bulldozer”, he also served as the Prime Minister of France, Mayor of Paris, President of Rally for the Republic, Minister of the Interior, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.