Daily GK Updates - 26th December, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Atal Bhujal Yojana launched by Government of India: On the Birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has launched Atal Bhujal Yojana (ATAL JAL) in an event held in New Delhi. ATAL JAL scheme has been designed with the principal objective of strengthening the institutional framework for participatory groundwater management and bringing about behavioural changes at the community level for sustainable groundwater resource management in seven States (Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh). Out of the total outlay of Rs. 6000 crores to be implemented over a period of 5 years (2020-21 to 2024-25), 50% shall be in the form of World Bank loan and be repaid by the Central Government. ATAL JAL will promote panchayat led groundwater management and behavioural change with a primary focus on demand-side management. Implementation of the scheme is expected to benefit nearly 8350 Gram Panchayats in 78 districts in these States. The remaining 50% shall be through Central Assistance from regular budgetary support.

2. Indian Railways to modernize its signalling system: Indian Railways has decided to modernize its Signalling system on its entire network by implementing Modern Train Control System (MTCS). This is one of the most ambitious modernization projects which envisages up-gradation of a signalling system for improving safety, Line Capacity and to run trains at a higher speed. Four works of the total 640-kilometre route at a cost of 1810 crore rupees have been sanctioned as pilot projects in Supplementary Works Programmes 2018-19 for extensive trials of Modern Train Control System. The work includes revision of Automatic Train Protection System, Electronic Interlocking System and Remote Diagnostic and Predictive Maintenance System.

3. Mumbai: CSMT gets 'Eat Right' station certificate: Iconic Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) railway station in Mumbai has been conferred with 'Eat Right Station' certification with the five-star rating by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for food safety and hygiene. The CSMT is the first station on the Central Railway to get this certification. The CSMT has been judged on the basis of compliance of food safety and hygiene, availability of healthy diet, food handling at preparation, food waste management, promotion of local and seasonal food and creating awareness on food safety and healthy diet.

Note: 'Eat Right Station' initiative is a part of the 'Eat Right India' movement launched by FSSAI and an FMCG major which is aimed at promoting food safety and hygiene at the static catering units at railway stations.

4. Digital Radio to be launched in 2024: According to Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar, the union government is bringing Digital Radio in 2024. The audio of digital radio will be clearer and its reach will be higher. All India Radio is an institution that is a part of people's lives, be it music, news or entertainment. Akashvani has one of the largest news gathering and dissemination apparatus in the world. Prasar Bharti is looking forward to a change in the format of these awards so that it brings out the hidden talent of the people.

Note: Digital radio is the use of digital technology to transmit or receive across the radio spectrum. Digital transmission by radio waves includes digital broadcasting, and especially digital audio radio services.

5. Niranjan Hiranandani takes over as Assocham president: Niranjan Hiranandani has taken over as the new president of The Associated Chambers of Commerce & Industry of India (Assocham), the country’s apex organisation of industry and trade. He will succeed Balkrishan Goenka, the Welspun Group Chairman. Niranjan Hiranandani is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of the Hiranandani Group of Companies.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Brazil and China Co-developed Earth Observation Satellite, CBERS-4A, Launched into Orbit: China and Brazil have jointly developed an Earth Observation (EO) satellite, China-Brazil Earth Resource Satellite (CBERS) 4A. The CBERS 4A satellite was launched into space via a Long March 4B rocket from the northern Chinese province of Shanxi. This satellite was the sixth developed under the China-Brazil Earth Resources Satellite (CBERS) program that began in 1988. It will support the Brazilian government’s monitoring of the Amazon rainforest and changes in the country’s environment.

2. 17th India-EU Summit 2020 to be held in Brussels: PM Narendra Modi will visit Brussels, Belgium in 2020 for the 17th India-EU Summit. The summit will aimed at expanding strategic partnership with Europe. The summit will focus on areas such as Bilateral Trade and Investment Agreement, Europol, counter-terrorism, Euroatom, climate change, etc. BTIA is a free trade agreement between India and EU in the year launched in 2007.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Kohli among five Wisden cricketers of the decade: Indian skipper Virat Kohli (31-year) is one of the five players named in the Wisden Cricketers of the Decade. Virat Kohli joins Australian batsman Steve Smith, and South Africans, Dale Steyn, and AB de Villiers. Australian all-rounder Ellyse Perry is the only female cricketer in the list.

Note: In 2019, Kohli scored 2,370 across formats at an average of 64.05. Kohli has 5,775 more international runs and 22 more international hundreds than anyone else in this decade.

2. South African seamer Vernon Philander announces retirement: South African all-rounder Vernon Philander announced international retirement from all forms of cricket after the conclusion of the upcoming Test series against England. He has played 97 matches across all three formats, taking a combined 261 wickets with 1784 runs in his international career. He also took 51 wickets in his first seven Test matches which earned him the 2012 SA Cricketer of the Year award.

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. SEBI signs pact with Kazakhstan-based AFSA for mutual co-operation: Markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has signed a pact with Kazakhstan’s Astana Financial Services Authority (AFSA) for mutual co-operation and technical assistance. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) will strengthen cross border co-operation in the area of securities regulation, facilitate mutual assistance, contribute towards efficient performance of the supervisory functions, and enable effective enforcement of laws and regulations governing the securities markets. The MoU was signed by SEBI Chairman, Ajay Tyagi and the acting CEO of AFSA Mukhtar Bubeyev.

2. AIIB Approves USD 210 million loan for irrigation & solar energy projects in India: The Beijing-based Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has announced loan worth USD 210 million for irrigation and solar energy projects in India. Of the $210 million, $145 million will be used to improve irrigation services and strengthen flood risk management in West Bengal, while $65 million has been earmarked for a 250-megawatt (MW) solar project in Rajasthan. India is the second-largest shareholder of the multilateral institution and the largest recipient of its loan and equity commitments. The total commitments to the country stand at $3 billion out of total commitment of $10 billion.

AWARDS AND HONOURS

1. Major Anoop Mishra Receives Army Design Bureau Excellence Award: Indian Army officer Major Anoop Mishra has developed a bulletproof jacket named ‘Sarvatra’ that can effectively provide protection to troops from lethal sniper rifle bullets. The officer was awarded the Army Design Bureau Excellence Award by Army Chief General Bipin Rawat for indigenously developing a bullet-proof jacket. As per Maj Anoop Mishra, Sarvatra is level 4 bulletproof jacket, developed at the college of military engineering in Pune and can provide full-body protection against sniper rifle bullets.