Daily GK Updates - 29th January, 2020

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Jitendra Singh launches Bhuvan Panchayat V 3.0 Web portal: Union Minister of State for PMO Jitendra Singh launched the Bhuvan Panchayat V3 web Portal in Anthariksh Bhavan, ISRO Head Quarters in Bengaluru. This web Portal will enhance network application of gram panchayats. The Portal will function with the help of satellite technology developed by ISRO. The Web portal is an easy to use Geo portal developed for database visualization, data analytics, model-based products and services for the benefit of Gram Panchayat members and other stakeholders.

Note: ISRO Director: k. Sivan; Headquarters: Bengaluru, Established: 1969.

2. West Bengal becomes fourth state to pass resolution on CAA in house: West Bengal became the fourth state to pass an assembly resolution against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA). The Kerala and Congress-ruled Punjab passed similar resolutions on December 31 and January 17. The CAA was given last month to fast-track the citizenship process for non-Muslims who have entered India from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh before 2015, and triggered protests across the country. The resolution demanded that the NRC and NPR process be withdrawn immediately.

Note: Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA): Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019 passed by the Parliament of India within 2 days on 11 December. The act seeks to relax the requirement of residence in India for citizenship by naturalization from 11 years to 5 years for migrants covered under the Act.

3. Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray inaugurates Nagpur Metro’s Aqua line: The Chief Minister of Maharashtra Uddhav Thackeray inaugurated 18.5 kilometre-long stretch of Nagpur Metro Aqua line of Maha Metro Rail Network. The newly inaugurated Nagpur Metro Aqua line passing over the Ambazari Lake in the city will connect the east and west parts of the city. This Metro line will facilitate the commuters coming from Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation’s Hingana area and adjoining areas of the outskirts of the city. This Line will have six stations starting from Lokmanya Nagar to Sitabuldi Interchange Metro Station. Nagpur Metro is the Greenest Metro deriving 65 per cent of its power consumption from Solar Energy. Nagpur Metro network is now operational up to 24.5 kilometres.

Note: Governor of Maharashtra: Bhagat Singh Koshyari; Capital: Mumbai.

4. Odisha launches virtual police station: Odisha govt. has launched a virtual police station where people can lodge complaints from their respective districts regarding the theft of their vehicles without visiting Police Station. The e-police station will function from the State Crime Records Bureau in Bhubaneswar. CM Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the facility along with road accident case documents module and medico-legal opinion system projects of Odisha Police.

Note: Odisha CM: Naveen Patnaik; Governor: Ganeshi Lal.

5. India’s first underwater metro expected to be complete by March 2022: The country’s first underwater metro project is set to complete its East-West Project of Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation, which runs partly under the Hooghly River, West Bengal, by March 2022. The new line is expected to carry about 900,000 people daily and will take less than a minute to cross the Hoogly River. Currently, it takes 20 minutes in the ferry to cross the river and an hour to cross the Howrah Bridge.

Note: Managing Director of Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation Managing Director (MD): Manas Sarkar; Chairman of Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation: Suneet Sharma.

Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation founded: 2008.

6. Anand appointed secretary of National Commission for Minorities: B. Anand was appointed as the secretary of National Commission for Minorities. He is also holding additional charge of financial advisor, department of biotechnology and ministry of earth sciences. Also, Sanjay Kumar Singh has been appointed as additional secretary, department of agricultural research and education and secretary. Mr. Singh is currently additional secretary, the ministry of panchayati raj.

Note: list of Secretary

New Cabinet Secretary-Rajeev Gauba

New Defence Secretary- Ajay Kumar

New home secretary- Ajay Kumar Bhalla

New Information and Broadcasting Secretary- Ravi Mittal

New foreign secretary- Harsh Vardhan Shringla

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Diplomat Joao Vale de Almeida is appointed as first post-Brexit UK ambassador: Portuguese diplomat Joao Vale de Almeida was appointed as the head of future EU diplomatic mission to the UK after Brexit on 24 January. The UK's exit was scheduled for 31 January 2020. Almeida will head the first EU delegation to the UK as of the first day of February. Joao Vale de Almeida is an experienced EU diplomat. He has experience as the European Union’s U.S. ambassador in 2010-2014. Prior to his appointment to London, he was the EU ambassador to the United Nations.

2. “Samvidhaan” announced as the Oxford Hindi Word of the Year 2019: Oxford University Press (OUP) named “Samvidhaan” (Constitution) the Oxford Hindi Word of 2019. The word was chosen as 2019 saw the values of democracy, secularism, justice, liberty, equality and fraternity being tested on the touchstone of the Constitution or “Samvidhaan”.

Note: The Oxford Hindi Word of the Year is a word or expression that has attracted a great deal of attention and reflects the ethos, mood, or preoccupations of the past year.

The Oxford English Dictionary is the principal historical dictionary of the English language, published by Oxford University Press; Headquarters: United Kingdom.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Nethra Kumanan becomes first Indian woman sailor to win World Cup medal: Chennai’s Nethra Kumanan clinched a bronze medal in the Sailing World Cup to become the first woman from the country to achieve the feat. Participating in the Hempel World Series in Miami, Unites States of America, Nethra won bronze in round two of the tournament to create history. Erika Reineke of the USA and Vasilieia Karachaliou of Greece claimed the gold and silver respectively in the laser radial event.

2. Indian Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra qualifies for Tokyo Olympics: Star Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra qualified for the Tokyo Olympics with a throw of 87.86 meters at the Athletics Central North East meeting in South Africa. The 22-year-old Asian Games and Commonwealth Games gold medallist breached the Olympic qualification mark of 85 meters in his fourth attempt. Neeraj missed the IAAF World Championships, the Diamond League and the Asian Championships due to an elbow injury.

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. Sachin Bansal steps down as director of Ujjivan Small Finance Bank: Sachin Bansal has resigned as independent director of Ujjivan Small Finance Bank, a role he took up in May 2019. Bansal said he was stepping down in the interest of propriety and to prevent conflict of interest arising out of the fact that his wholly-owned firm Navi Technologies has applied for a banking license.

Note: Ujjivan Small Finance Bank Founder: Samit Ghosh; Founded: 1 February 2017; Headquarter: Bengaluru

AWARDS AND HONOURS

1. India’s Pavan Sukhdev wins 2020 Tyler Prize: Indian environmental economist Pavan Sukhdev was awarded the 2020 Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement. He received the award jointly alongside conservation biologist Gretchen C Daily. Pavan Sukhdev was honoured with the 2020 Tyler Prize for his outstanding work in the sphere of the green economy. While receiving the award, Sukhdev stated that one does not have to be an environmentalist to care about protecting the environment. Sukhdev was the head and special adviser of UNEP’s 'Green Economy Initiative'. The initiative was a major project launched by the then UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

2. Noted theatre personality Sanjna Kapoor to be conferred French honour: Noted theatre personality Sanjna Kapoor, the daughter of Bollywood actor Shashi Kapoor, will be conferred prestigious French honour, Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters, for her outstanding contribution to theatre. French Culture Minister Franck Riester, currently on an official visit to India, will confer the insignia of the distinction on Sanjna Kapoor in a special investiture ceremony.

DEFENCE

1. Indian Navy launches 'Operation Vanilla' to help cyclone-hit Madagascar: The Indian Navy has launched ‘Operation Vanilla’ to provide assistance to the affected population of Madagascar post devastation caused by Cyclone Diane. An Indian Navy Shardul-class amphibious warfare vessel, INS Airavat (L24) has been diverted to Antsiranana based on a request received from Madagascar, whilst mission deployed in the Southern Indian Ocean. The ship will undertake the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) mission as part of ‘Operation Vanilla’. During the port call, the ship, in coordination with Embassy of India and Government of Madagascar is planned to undertake relief operations to provide succour to the flood-affected populace. The Indian Navy ship is also geared to set up medical camp and provide food, water and other necessary relief material. At least 26 people have died in Madagascar after almost a week of heavy rain in the north-west of the island, according to reports.

OBITUARIES

1. Former women’s hockey team captain Sunita Chandra passes away: Former Indian women’s hockey team captain Sunita Chandra passed away. She was awarded prestigious Arjuna Puraskar. She had played for the Indian women’s hockey team between 1956 to 1966 and served as skipper from 1963 to 1966.