Daily GK Updates - 11th October, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. SARAS Aajeevika Mela begins in New Delhi: SARAS Aajeevika Mela has begun at India Gate Lawns, in New Delhi. It has been organized by the Ministry of Rural Development under the initiative of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission. It aims to bring the rural women Self Help Groups (SHGs) formed with support of DAY-NRLM, under one platform to show-case their skills, sell their products and help them build linkages with bulk buyers. Over 200 stalls have been set-up at the Mela venue, where nearly 500 rural SHG craftswomen from 29 States and UTs will show-case varied range of products like handicrafts, handlooms, natural food products and a food court with regional cuisines at India Gate Lawns.

2. GoI launches Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan (SUMAN) initiative: Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr Harsh Vardhan has launched the Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan (SUMAN) initiative in New Delhi. The initiative was launched during the 13th Conference of Central Council of Health and Family Welfare. The initiative aims to assure dignified, respectful and quality health care at no cost for every woman and newborn visiting the public health facility in order to end all preventable maternal and newborn deaths. It also provides a positive birth experience to both mother and infant. With the initiative, the government is committed to achieve the target of reducing the maternal mortality and child mortality.

3. First National Hindi Science writers conference begins in Lucknow: The first National Hindi Science writers conference has been started in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. The Objective of the National Hindi Science writers conference is to bring all Hindi and vernacular language science writers at one platform and promote the use of Hindi in the field of science writing. More than one thousand science writers across the country are expected to take part in this 2-day long conference. A dedicated website ‘WWW.VIGYANLEKHAN.COM’ has been prepared for this event.

4. Gujarat to host conference of State Power Ministers: Gujarat will host the State Power Ministers’ Conference. It will take place at Kevadia, on the banks of Narmada River. The 2 day conference will see discussions on policies related to emerging technologies in sustainable and renewable energy sector. It will also look after the implementation of Prime Minister Kusum Yojana, Solar Roof top, renewable energy development in the border areas, projects for Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Parks, ease of doing business in solar and wind energy space and the concerning issues related to regulatory matters, land and infrastructure.

5. Railway police’s website & mobile app “Sahyatri” launched: Union Minister Nityanand Rai has launched a Government Railway Police’s website “railways.delhipolice.gov.in” and a mobile application “Sahyatri”. The database of criminals, including their photographs, active in railways’ jurisdiction all over India would be uploaded on the Railway police’s website. It will also have the facility to scan and read QR codes and make an emergency call. The Sahyatri app will help railway passengers find out the jurisdiction of a police station and the details of GRP officials by geo-tagging with Google Maps. It will also help the railway police in addressing complaints of passengers from across India and crime detection by integrating the criminal database online.

6. 38th India Carpet Expo begins in Varanasi: The India Carpet Expo (38th) has been started in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh (11th to 14th October 2019). The India Carpet Expo is organized twice in a year in Delhi and Varanasi. The expo (largest handmade carpet fairs in Asia) has been organized by the Carpet Export Promotion Council (CEPC). The India Carpet Expo aims to promote the cultural heritage and weaving skills of Indian hand-made carpets and other floor coverings for the visiting overseas carpet buyers.

Note: India carpet expo acts as a platform for international carpet buyers, buying houses, buying agents, architects and Indian carpet manufacturers and exporters to meet and establish business relationship.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Chinese Prez Xi Jinping arrives in Chennai on 2-day visit to India: Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Chennai on a two-day visit to India. Mr. Xi Jinping will hold the Second Informal Summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Mahabalipuram (a UNESCO world heritage town) in Tamil Nadu. The two leaders will first have a one to one conversation, followed by delegation-level talks. At Mamallapuram, Prime Minister Modi will personally guide Mr Xi Jinping through the ancient monuments like the Arjun's Penance, Ganesh Rath, Krishna butter ball before the two leaders drive to the Panch Rathas or the five chariots of the Pandavas.

2. 9th RCEP Intersessional Ministerial Meeting to be held in Thailand: The 9th Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Intersessional Ministerial Meeting will be held in Bangkok, Thailand. This will be the final Ministerial meeting before the 3rd Leaders’ Summit which will be held on November 4, 2019 in Bangkok. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal will represent India in the meeting. He will also hold a series of bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Japan, Singapore, China, Australia and New Zealand during the Bangkok Ministerial.

3. International Day of the Girl Child: 11 October: The International Day of the Girl Child (IDGC) is observed every year across the world on 11th October (8th- edition) to recognize girls’ rights and challenges girls face around the world. The theme of 2019 is “GirlForce: Unscripted and Unstoppable". The main aims of the day are to promote girl's empowerment and fulfilment of their human rights while also highlighting the challenges that girls all over the world face.

Note: On December 2011, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution to declare 11th October as the International Day of the Girl Child

4. World Obesity Day 11 October: The World Obesity Day is observed annually on October 11, organized by the World Obesity Federation, a non-profit body which is in official relations with the World Health Organization (WHO). The day which was first established in 2015, aims to raise awareness on obesity and ways to prevent them and also maintaining a healthy weight and reverse the obesity crisis.

Note: WHO Headquarter: Geneva, Switzerland

5. World Egg Day: 11 October: The World Egg Day which is celebrated annually on the second Friday of October was observed on October 11, 2019. The day is celebrated globally to raise awareness of the benefits of eggs and their nutritional importance. It was first established at the 1996 International Egg Commission’s (IEC) conference in Vienna, Austria where it was decided to celebrate this day on the second Friday of October. The theme for the year 2019 is “Eat your egg today and every day.”

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Australia broke their own record for most consecutive wins (18) in women’s ODI: The Australian women’s cricket team broke the record for most consecutive wins in One Day International (ODI) cricket with their 18th triumph by defeating Sri Lanka in the tri-match ODI series during Sri Lanka women’s cricket team tour in Australia” at the Allan Border Field stadium in Brisbane, Australia. They broke their own record of 17 consecutive wins achieved between 1997 and 1999.

Note: Australia Capital: Canberra; Currency: Australian dollar.

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. Yes Bank Ltd appoints Anita Pai as COO: Yes Bank Ltd has appointed Anita Pai as the Chief Operating Officer and Jasneet Bachal as the Chief Marketing Officer of the bank. The appointment has been made to further strengthen the top management at the bank. Anita Pai will lead the bank’s operations and service delivery and will also look after the information technology functions of the lender. Jasneet Bachal will head the marketing and communication efforts of the bank.

Note: Chief Executive Officer of Yes Bank: Ravneet Gill.

2. GeM signs MOU with Union Bank of India: Government e-Marketplace signed an MoU with Union Bank of India. As per the MoU, UBI will be able to offer an array of services including transfer of funds through GeM Pool Accounts, advising of Performance Bank Guarantees and Earnest Money Deposit to the registered users on the GeM portal. The MoU will facilitate a cashless, paperless and transparent payment system on the portal and will create an efficient procurement system for government entities.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

1. Moody’s cuts India’s GDP growth forecast to 5.8% for FY20: Moody, the rating agency has lowered its 2019-20 GDP growth forecast for India to 5.8% from 6.2%. It stated that the Indian economy is experiencing a pronounced slowdown partly due to long-lasting factors.

2. Auto component major Minda to acquire Germany's Delvis for EUR21 million: Minda Industries (Auto component manufacturer) is acquiring 100% equity capital of Germany-based Delvis Group for 21 million euros (around Rs 163 crore). The Delvis Group is engaged in automotive lighting design and engineering. It comprises of Delvis GmBH and its two wholly-owned subsidiaries Delvis Products and Delvis Solutions. Minda has a diversified product portfolio that encompasses safety, security and restraint systems. These products cater to two- and three-wheelers, passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles and after-market.

AWARDS & HONOURS

1. The Nobel Peace Prize for 2019: The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 2019 to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali. He has been awarded for his efforts to achieve peace and international cooperation and in particular for his decisive initiative to resolve the border conflict with neighbouring Eritrea. The prize is also meant to recognise all the stakeholders working for peace and reconciliation in Ethiopia and in the East and Northeast African regions. He will receive a full cash prize, valued this year at 9-million kronor ($918,000), a gold medal and a diploma.

2. The Nobel Prize in Literature 2018 and 2019: The Nobel Prizes in Literature 2018 and 2019 were announced at The Swedish Academy in Stockholm. Both winners will receive a full cash prize, valued this year at 9-million kronor ($918,000), a gold medal and a diploma. The Nobel Prize in Literature for 2018 is awarded to the Polish author Olga Tokarczuk. She has been awarded “for a narrative imagination that with encyclopedic passion represents the crossing of boundaries as a form of life.” The Nobel Prize in Literature for 2019 is awarded to the Austrian author Peter Handke. He has been awarded “for an influential work that with linguistic ingenuity has explored the periphery and the specificity of human experience.”

OBITUARIES

1. Legendary saxophonist Kadri Gopalnath passes away: Legendary saxophonist and the Padma Shri awardee Kadri Gopalnath passed away away in Mangalore, Karnataka. The Carnatic music maestro won multiple awards in his illustrious career, including the Kendra Sangeetha Nataka Academy Award and Karnataka Kalashree. He had the distinction of being the first Carnatic musician to be invited in the BBC Promenade concert in the Royal Albert Hall at London in 1994.