Daily GK Updates - 3rd January, 2020

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Railways rename RPF as Indian Railway Protection Force Service: The Indian Railways has renamed its security force RPF (Railway Protection Force) as Indian Railway Protection Force Service. The ministry has accorded organised Group A status to RPF and renamed it. The Railway Protection Force (RPF) is a security force, enacted by the Indian Parliament for “the better protection and security of railway property”. The force is under the authority of the Indian Ministry of Railways.

Note: Union Railway Minister: Piyush Goyal.

2. UPSRTC launched ‘Damini’ helpline service for women: UPSRTC (Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation) has launched ‘Damini’ helpline service considering the safety of the women passengers. As the extension of ‘Nirbhaya Yojana’ the unique number “81142-77777” has been subscribed for this helpline. Using these helpline women passengers can lodge their complaints by calling the helpline number and by using WhatsApp service.

Note: UP Present CM: Yogi Adityanath, Governor: Anandiben Patel.

3. ‘Lai Haraoba’ ritualistic festival begins in Tripura: In Tripura, Lai Haraoba, a ritualistic festival observed by Manipuri meitei communities began in Agartala. The 5-day long festival is jointly organised by the Department of Information and Cultural Affairs, Government of Tripura, Puthiba Lai Haraoba Committee and Puthiba Welfare & Cultural Society, Agartala. Lai Haraoba is celebrated through oral literature, music, dance and rituals.

A cultural troupe from Manipur has also come to take part in the festival.

Note: Tripura Capital: Agartala; CM of Tripura: Biplab Kumar Deb; Governor: Ramesh Bais.

4. Andhra Pradesh Govt. appoints two ‘Disha Special Officers’: The Andhra Pradesh government-appointed Indian Administrative Service (IAS) official Dr Kritika Shukla and Indian Police Service (IPS) official M Deepika, as Special Officers for implementing the Andhra Pradesh Disha Act 2019. The Act is intended for speedy trial and faster execution in cases of sexual offences against women in the state. To ensure a speedy trial, the state will set up exclusive special courts in all the 13 districts to deal with cases of offences against women and children including rape, acid attacks, stalking, voyeurism, social media harassment of women, sexual harassment and all cases under POCSO Act.

Note: Andhra Pradesh CM: YS Jaganmohan Reddy; Governor: Biswa Bhusan Harichandan.

5. 28th World Book Fair to focus on Gandhi as writer: The annual New Delhi World Book Fair, in its 28th edition, will focus on how Mahatma Gandhi influenced generations of writers through his writings. The fair, organised by the National Book Trust (NBT) in association with ITPO, will be inaugurated by Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank. The theme for World Book Fair 2020 is ‘Gandhi: The Writers’ Writer. Commemorating the 150th birth anniversary of Gandhi, the theme pavilion, inspired by Sabarmati Ashram, uses hand-spun materials as wall-cladding. Besides an exclusive exhibition of 500 books on and by Gandhi in different languages, it will also host 30-panel discussions, book launches and performances related to the theme.

6. Rajnath Singh to head the Group of ministers to review crop insurance scheme: The Union government has set up a 7 members Group of Minister (GoM) headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to review the crop insurance scheme, “Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)”. The GoM will also make suggestions to improve the insurance scheme according to the needs of the farmers. The GoM includes home minister Amit Shah and agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar, the ministers of state for agriculture, finance, tribal affairs, and animal husbandry. This move comes after concerns over the exit of a few states, dropping out of insurance companies and growing dissent among farmers on the government’s flagship crop insurance scheme.

Note: The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) was launched on 14th January 2016 to provide financial support to farmers suffering from crop loss or damage due to an unforeseen event.

7. Entire Nagaland declared ‘disturbed area’ for six more months under AFSPA: The entire state of Nagaland has been declared a disturbed area for a period of six months under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, AFSPA. The Act empowers security forces to conduct operations anywhere and arrest anyone without any prior notice. The Central Government is of the opinion that the area comprising the whole state of Nagaland is in such a disturbed and dangerous condition that the use of armed forces in aid of civil power is necessary. Nagaland has been under AFSPA for almost six decades now.

8. Visakhapatnam will host the 14th Global Healthcare Summit 2021: Visakhapatnam will host the prestigious three-day 14th Global Healthcare Summit from January 3, 2021. Being organized by the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), the conference will see the participation of over 500 doctors from the US, Australia, Britain, and other countries. The brochure of the summit was released on 30 December 2019 by MP M.V.V. Satyanarayana. The focus of the Global Health Summit is an Indian-centric approach, with special events such as global impact and India’s contribution in providing cost-effective medicines and addressing the shortage of healthcare professionals. For the first time, the 14th Global Health Care summit will be held in AP and is expected to boost the healthcare in the region.

Note: AAPI is the largest ethnic medical organization in the United States representing over 60,000 doctors of Indian-origin practicing in America. The organization founded in 1982 spearheads legislative, educational, charitable and philanthropic initiatives in India and the United States. AAPI headquartered in Oak Brook, Illinois serves as an umbrella organization for over 150 local chapters.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. S. Korean president vows to build peace community on the Korean Peninsula: The South Korean President Moon Jae-in vowed to build a peaceful community of co-existence and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula this year. He made the remarks during a New Year's event at the headquarters in Seoul of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI). Moon noted that the leaders of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the United States maintained their willingness for dialogue, while the South Korean government gradually moved toward the peninsula peace last year in coordination with the international community.

2. Iran’s Gen Qassem Soleimani killed in US airstrike on Baghdad airport: General Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' (IRGC's) Quds Force, and architect of its regional security apparatus has been killed following a US airstrike at Baghdad's international airport. The strike also killed Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy commander of Iran-backed militias in Iraq known as the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF). Iran's IRGC as well as Iraq's Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) umbrella grouping of Iran-backed militias, also confirmed the deaths of Soleimani and al-Muhandis. Soleimani, who led a special forces unit of Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards, has been a key figure of Iranian and Middle East politics. His death exacerbated already-high tensions between Iran and the United States and triggered concerns of retaliation from Iranian forces. After the news of Soleimani’s death, oil prices jumped more than 4% and fuelling fears of a conflict in the crude-rich region.

Note: Iran Capital: Tehran; Currency of Iran: Rial; President of Iran: Hassan Rouhani.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. National Ice Hockey Championship-2020 begins in Leh: The 5th Ice Hockey Association of India (IHAI) National Ice Hockey Championship -2020 has begun in Leh, Ladakh. The tournament will continue till 7th January in Karzoo Ice Hockey Rink in Leh, where the Army, Chandigarh, Delhi, Haryana, Maharashtra and home team Ladakh are fighting for the championship in U-20 boys category. Similarly, in Girls category Ladakh, Maharashtra, Delhi, and Chandigarh are playing for the championship.

Note: President of Ice Hockey Association of India: K. L. Kumar.

2. MS Dhoni picked captain of ESPN Cricinfo's ODI and T20 teams of the past decade: Former India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni was picked as captain of ESPN Cricinfo's ODI and Twenty20 teams of the decade, while Virat Kohli was named the leader in Tests. Kuldeep Yadav, and Yuzvendra Chahal, were the only other Indians to make the Test XI. Former skipper Mithali Raj and fast bowler Jhulan Goswami were named in the same women's team picked for both the ODIs and T20s. Australia's inspirational cricketer, Meg Lanning was named the captain of the side.

AWARDS AND HONOURS

1. Piyuus Jaiswal honoured with Global Bihar Excellence Awards 2019: Piyuus Jaiswal was awarded the Global Bihar Excellence Award 2019. This award was presented by Rajya Sabha MP and Padma Shri Awardee Dr CP Thakur and Bihar Women Commission president Dilmani Devi in Patna to promote women empowerment. Piyuus Jaiswal was recently awarded the humanitarian award with the Global Peace Excellence Humanitarian Award 2019 on the occasion of International Human Day. The award was given to recognise and felicitated Piyuus Jaiswal’s contribution towards social welfare, women empowerment and introducing new talent in the field of arts and culture.

Note:  Governor of Bihar: Phagu Chauhan, Chief Minister: Nitish Kumar.

2. Swarna Jayanti Fellowships awarded to 14 scientists: The Union Ministry of Science and Technology have awarded Swarna Jayanti Fellowships to 14 scientists to pursue basic research in frontier areas of science and technology. The fellowship covers all the requirements for performing the research and includes a fellowship of 25 thousand rupees per month. A research grant of five lakh rupees for five years is also being provided in addition to their salary. Swaran Jayanti Fellowships are awarded to young and brilliant scientists to pursue unfettered research with financial freedom and flexibility.

Note: Union Minister of Science and Technology: Dr Harsh Vardhan.

OBITUARIES

1. Natyasurya Awardee dramatist Ratna Ojha passed away: Eminent Assamese dramatist, litterateur and social activist Ratna Ojha (88) passed away in Guwahati, Assam. Recipient of the prestigious Natyasurya Award in 2005 for his contributions to theatre, Ojha had introduced street plays in Assam in 1971 with his skit 'Kokaideo' to revive the theatre movement in the state that was fading with the death of his mentor Phani Sarma. Ojha had also introduced 'cartoon theatre' in the Northeast.

2. Senior NCP leader DP Tripathi Passes Away: Senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader DP Tripathi passed away in New Delhi. He was the general secretary of the Nationalist Congress Party and a former students' union leader. Despite visual impairment, he worked throughout life. He has also written several books, including Congress and Independent India, Jawahar Satkam, Celebrating Faiz and Nepal Transition-A way forward among others.