Daily GK Updates - 21st October, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Col. Chewang Rinchen Setu inaugurated in Ladakh: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated Col. Chewang Rinchen Setu (Bridge) which has been constructed at an altitude of 14,650 feet in the forward area of Ladakh region. It is named in honour of Colonel Chewang Rinchen who was one of the highly decorated officers in Indian Army from Ladakh. He was also a Maha Vir Chakara awardee (1952). The Bridge, which is 1400 feet span, is constructed by the Border Road Organization. The construction of the Bridge was completed within 15 working months using 6900 cubic meters of concrete and 1984 metric tons of steel.

2. Odisha's biggest trade fair to begin on 12th November: Odisha’s biggest trade fair 'Bali Jatra' is scheduled to begin on 12th November this year. According to the Odia Calendar, the festival is celebrated every year from the day of (full moon day of the month of Kartika).  ‘Bali Jatra’ will be jointly organized by the Cuttack District Administration, District Cultural Council, and the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC). The trade fair will continue for eight days.

Note: Baliyatra fair held in Odisha in the city of Cuttack at Gadagadia Ghata of the Mahanadi River. Ancient Sadhabas (Odia mariners) would set sail to distant lands of Bali, as well as Java (at the time of the voyage known as "Yawadvipa"), Sumatra, Borneo (all in Indonesia), and Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon) for trade and cultural expansion.

3. Tripura CM inaugurates daily Air-Asia flights to various cities: Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb inaugurated daily Air-Asia flights from Agartala to Imphal (Manipur), Guwahati (Assam), Delhi and Kolkata (West Bengal) at Maharaj Bir Bikram Airport, Agartala. Currently, IndiGo and Air India are serving the Agartala route. Mr Deb marked the launching of flights for four destinations at one time as a historic one.

Note: Air Asia India is an Indian low-cost carrier headquartered in Bangalore, India. The airline is a joint venture with Tata Sons holding 51% stake in the airline and AirAsia Berhad holding 49% stake.

4. IIT Kharagpur graduate develops unique device “PM 2.5” to curb vehicular air-pollution: IIT Kharagpur graduate Debayan Saha has invented a device called “PM 2.5” which he claimed when fitted near the silencer pipe in vehicles will curb air pollution. The technology developed by uses a combination of electric energy and wave energy to influence the pollutants like PM 2.5 such that they act like a magnet attracting other particulate pollutants from the ambient atmosphere to get attached to it. This device can neutralise the pollution emitted from 10 cars in its vicinity.

5. Police Commemoration Day: 21 October: National Police Commemoration Day is observed every year on 21st October to remember remembering the brave policemen who sacrificed their lives while discharging their duties. The day commemorates the sacrifices of ten policemen while defending the borders with China in 1959.

Note: The Annual Conference of Inspectors General of Police of States and Union Territories held in January 1960 decided that 21st October will be observed as Commemoration Day in all Police Lines throughout India to mark the memory of these gallant personnel.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Sri Lanka has removed from FATF’s Grey List: Sri Lanka has been removed from the “Grey List” of the international terror financing watchdog FATF. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), whose five-day plenary concluded in Paris, France stated that Sri Lanka made significant progress in addressing the strategic AML/CFT deficiencies identified earlier. In October 2016, the FATF announced that Sri Lanka will be subjected to a review of the International Cooperation Review Group (ICRG) of the terror financing watchdog to assess the progress of AML/CFT effectiveness in the country.

Note: FATF headquarters: Paris, France

Sri Lanka Capital: Colombo and Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte; Currency: Sri Lankan rupee; Prime Minister: Ranil Wickremesinghe

2. World’s oldest known natural pearl discovered on Abu Dhabi Island: The oldest known natural pearl in the world has been discovered by Abu Dhabi archaeologists working at a Neolithic site on Marawah Island (just off the coast of Abu Dhabi). Dubbed the ‘Abu Dhabi Pearl’, it was found in layers that have been radiocarbon dated to 5,800-5,600 BCE, during the Neolithic period. The discovery is proof that pearls and oysters were being used in the UAE nearly 8,000 years ago and represents the earliest known evidence for pearling yet discovered anywhere in the world. Prior to the Abu Dhabi Pearl discovery, the earliest known pearl in the UAE came from a Neolithic site in Umm Al Qaiwain.

Note: United Arab Emirates Capital: Abu Dhabi; Currency: United Arab Emirates dirham

3. Upender Singh Rawat elected as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Nicaragua: The Ministry of External Affairs appoints Upender Singh Rawat (Indian Foreign Service: 1998), Ambassador of India designate to the Republic of Panama will be concurrently accredited as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Nicaragua. He will replace Yogeshwar Varma.

Note: Capital of Nicaragua: Managua; Currency: Nicaraguan Cordoba.

4. World Statistics Day: 20 October: World Statistics Day is observed on October 20, once every 5 years. The next World statistics Day celebrates on 20 October 2020. The day acknowledges the fundamental importance of sustainable national statistical capacity. This year World Statistics day theme is “Better Data, Better Lives”. The first World Statistics Day was celebrated in 2010, as decided in resolution 64/267, and was deemed an overwhelming success, with activities organized in more than 130 Member States and by at least 40 international and regional organizations and entities.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Kuhoo Garg-Dhruv Rawat pair wins Egypt International mixed doubles title: Kuhoo Garg and Dhruv Rawat won the badminton mixed doubles title at the Egypt International 2019 in Cairo, Egypt. The unseeded Garg and Rawat held their nerves for a tight 21-16, 22-20 victory over the third seeds Utkarsh Arora and Karishma Wadkar in an all-Indian final.

Note: Capital of Egypt: Cairo; Currency: Egyptian pound.

2. Ronaldo Singh wins gold medal at Asian Track Cycling Championships: Indian cyclist Ronaldo Singh bagged a gold medal in the men’s junior Keirin event at the Asian Track Cycling Championships being held at Incheon in South Korea. Apart from Ronaldo, James Singh clinched a bronze medal in the event.

Note: South Korea Capital: Seoul; Currency: South Korean won.

3. Great Britain wins 9th Edition of Sultan of Johor Cup hockey Tournament 2019: Great Britain defeated India in the finals by 2-1 in the 9th edition of the Sultan of Johor Cup 2019, an international men’s under-21 field hockey tournament, was held at Johor Bahru, Malaysia. It was their 3rd title. India’s Shilanand Lakra with 5 goals emerged as a top scorer; Japan’s Kosei Kawabe was named as the Best Player of the tournament and Oliver Payne of Great Britain was named as the GoalKeeper of the tournament.

Note: The 2019 Sultan of Johor Cup (9th edition) was an international men's under–21 field hockey tournament held in Malaysia. As in previous editions, a total of six teams (Great Britain, India, Malaysia, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand) competed for the title.

Malaysia Capital: Kuala Lampur; Currency: Malaysian ringgit

4. Ethiopian Belihu wins Delhi Half Marathon men's race: Ethiopia's Andamlak Belihu (20-years) and Tsehay Gemechu defended their titles at the 15th Airtel Delhi Half Marathon at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium. Belihu clocked a timing of 59:10 to defend his title. While Gemechu broke her event record and also produced her personal best with an impressive 66:00. In the women’s race, Ethiopia’s Yelamzerf Yehualaw (clocked 1:06:01) to grab the second place, while zeineba yimer clocked 1:06:57 for the third place. Among the Indians, runners Srinu Bugatha (1:04:33) and Suriya Loganathan (01:12:49) topped in the men’s and women’s category respectively.

Note: Airtel Delhi Half Marathon (ADHM) is an annual half marathon foot-race held in New Delhi, India, established in 2005. The event includes the half marathon, the 7 km Great Delhi Run, a 4.3 km run for senior citizens and a 3.5 km wheelchair race.

DEFENCE

1. Sudarshan Chakra Vahini War exercise begins in Jaisalmer: Two-day long manoeuvres by Sudarshan Chakra Vahini of Indian Army Started at Jaisalmer, field firing range in Rajasthan. In this war exercise, the army is going to exhibit its strength regarding Agni Missile and artillery. Artillery, Arms and mechanized forces, Army air defence and helicopters of army aviation are participating in this exercise to test mutual coordination. Endogenously manufactured light helicopter Rudra and self-propelled artillery gun system K-9 vajra are also taking part in this exercise.

OBITUARIES

1. Writer and philosopher K.B. Siddaiah passes away: Writer and philosopher K.B. Siddaiah passed away. He was one of the founder members of Dalitha Sangharsha Samithi (DSS) during the ’80s and co-authored many songs to inspire the movement.

1. Oracle co-CEO Mark Hurd passes away: Former Co-Chief executive Officer (CEO) of Oracle Mark Hurd, passed away. He was previously served as chairman, CEO, and president of Hewlett-Packard (HP). He was also in the Board of Directors of Globality and a member of the Technology CEO Council and board of directors of New Corporation.