Daily GK Updates - 8th January, 2020

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. J&K has registered highest IPD care in the country: As per the report released by the National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC), Jammu and Kashmir has registered the highest Inpatient Department, IPD care in the country. As per the report, the 96 percent IPD care in rural areas of J&K is provided by Public Health Facilities which is highest against the country’s average of 85 percent. In 2016, Jammu and Kashmir had surpassed Kerala as the state with the highest life expectancy in India for all ages, barring life expectancy at birth.

Note: Lieutenant (Lt) Governors of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K): Girish Chandra Murmu.

2. Himachal Pradesh launches “Himachal MyGov” portal & “CM App”: The Himachal Pradesh Government has introduced a portal “Himachal MyGov” and become 11th state in India to have this facility. The portal aims to boost public participation in the governance process. With the help of portal, public will be able to communicate their views, suggestions, feedback as well discontentment to the state government. This will help the government to formulate policies and programs and make them more effective and result oriented. State also launched “CM App” which is a platform through which people of the state can write directly to the Chief Minister regarding their complaints.

Note: Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh: Jai Ram Thakur; Governor: Bandaru Dattatraya.

3. International Kite Festival 2020 begins in Gujarat: The 31st International Kite Festival has been launched at Sabarmati river front in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. As a part of the official celebration of 'Uttarayan' or 'Makar Sankranti', Ahmedabad has been hosting the International Kite Festival since 1989. A large number of kite artists from across the world are participating in the festival to exhibit their skills. The festival is also taking place at nine other places across the state including Statue of Unity-Kevadiya, Surat and Vadodara. The festival will continue till January 13 at Sabarmati Riverfront.

Note: Chief Minister of Gujarat: Vijay Rupani; Governor: Acharya Dev Vrat.

4. 4th ‘Buxa Bird Festival’ kicks off in West Bengal: The 4th edition of ‘Buxa Bird Festival’ has started in Buxa National Park in West Bengal’s, district Alipurduar. Over 50 birdwatchers from across the country and abroad have registered for the 2020 edition of the four-day festival. More than 300 rare species including the Great Hornbill, Sultan Tit and Greater Spotted Eagle visit the national park during this period. Bird enthusiasts watch and click photographs of the migratory birds that come from colder regions in the northern hemisphere.

Note: West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar; CM: Mamta Banerjee.

5. Vikram Sarabhai Children Innovation Center to be set up in Gujarat: The Gujarat government has announced to set up Vikram Sarabhai Children Innovation Center (VSCIC) in Gandhinagar. Vikram Sarabhai Children Innovation Center (VSCIC) will identify, nurture and promote children’s innovation in the state. Announcement was made by CM Vijay Rupani during Children’s Innovation Festival (CIF) in Gandhinagar.

Note: Children’s Innovation Festival has been organized by Gujarat University Start-ups and Entrepreneurship Council (GUSEC). It is an incubation centre set up by Gujarat University in partnership with UNICEF. CIF initiative was conceptualized to identify, nurture and support children’s innovations in the state.

Chief Minister of Gujarat: Vijay Rupani; Governor: Acharya Dev Vrat.

6. High-Level Committee Approved Rs 5,908 Crore To 7 States as Relief for Damages by Disasters in 2019: The Central government has approved the release of Rs. 5,908.56 crore to seven states as assistance for the damage caused due to various disasters in 2019. The states, include Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Tripura. The decision was taken at a meeting of a high-level committee (HLC), chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The relief amount is given under the additional central assistance to seven states from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) in a High-Level Committee meeting in New Delhi. Earlier, the central government has released interim financial assistance of Rs 3,200 crore to four states – Rs 1,200 crore to Karnataka, Rs 1,000 crore to Madhya Pradesh, Rs 600 crore to Maharashtra and Rs 400 crore to Bihar.

7. Book titled ‘Karmayoddha Granth’ on Life of PM released: Union Home Minister released a book ‘Karmayoddha Granth’ on the life of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Home Minister addressed the gathering at the launch and said that the qualities of a Karmayoddha such as a beautiful heart for people, a statesman, a hard taskmaster, an able administrator and an ideal leader who leads by example, are represented by Narendra Modi.

Note: Union Home Minister: Amit Shah.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. UAE Cabinet validates Multi-entry Tourist Visa valid for 5 years: The UAE Cabinet has validated the Multi-entry Tourist Visa which would be valid for 5 years. The Multi-entry Tourist Visa facility would be available for all nationalities visiting the UAE. The decision was taken in the UAE’s Cabinet meeting which was held at the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi. The decision has been made to boost the UAE’s tourism economy. It also aims to stabilise UAE’s position as a global tourist destination. “Visa waiver” for Mexican citizens visiting the UAE was also introduced during the meeting. The above decisions taken during the meeting will be made effective during the first quarter of 2020.

Note: President of UAE: Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Capital of UAE: Abu Dhabi; Currency: United Arab Emirates dirham.

2. Indian High Commission organizes “Art Exhibition” in Bangladesh: The Indian High Commission has organized the “Art Exhibition” in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The “Art Exhibition” has been organized to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The art exhibition constituted unique photographs of Mahatma Gandhi from his initial days in South Africa to numerous movements he participated in India.

Mote: Prime Minister of Bangladesh: Sheikh Hasina; Capital: Dhaka; Currency: Taka.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. World Cup winner Italian Daniele De Rossi retires from football: The 37-year-old Italian midfielder Daniele De Rossi announced his decision to retire from football in order to spend more time with his family. Daniele De Rossi earned 117 caps for Italy at the senior level, winning the FIFA World Cup in 2006. He came through the youth ranks at Roma and made his debut for the Serie A side in 2001. In an 18-year of his career, he made 616 appearances and scored 63 goals, winning two Coppa Italia titles.

Note: Capital of Italy: Rome; Currency: Euro; President: Sergio Mattarella; Prime Minister: Giuseppe Conte.

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. 2 Indian banks to end their operations in Sri Lanka: Two Indian banks, Axis Bank and ICICI Bank decided to end their operations in Sri Lanka. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka has permitted these two Indian banks to close their operations in the island nation. The licenses issued to them will be canceled once the winding-up operations are complete. The two banks are no longer permitted to carry on banking operations, including accepting deposits from the public in Sri Lanka.

Note: Sri Lanka Capitals: Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte; Currency: Sri Lankan rupee; Prime minister: Mahinda Rajapaksa.

2. RBI allows to offer 24×7 rupee trading via select banks: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has enabled select banks in India to offer round-the-clock (24×7) trading in the Indian rupee to allow Indians to safeguard their foreign exchange (Forex) risks at any time. The select banks in India offered Indian customers foreign exchange rates only in inter-bank market hours from 9 am- 5 pm. This decision will also make the offshore currency markets in countries like Dubai & Singapore less attractive for Indian investors.

Note: RBI 25th Governor: Shaktikant Das; Headquarters: Mumbai; Founded: 1 April 1935, Kolkata.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

1. NSO projects India’s GDP growth rate for 2019-20 at 5%: According to the first advance estimates released by the National Statistics Office, India’s GDP growth during fiscal 2019-20 is expected at 5% as compared to 6.8% in the previous year. The estimated growth of real Gross Value Added (GVA) in 2019-20 is 4.9% as against 6.6% in 2018-19. The per capita income in real terms (at 2011-12 prices) during 2019-20 is likely to attain a level of ₹96,563 as compared to ₹92,565 for the year 2018-19. The growth rate in per capita income is estimated at 4.3% during 2019-20, as against 5.6% in the previous year.

Note: The Reserve Bank of India in its December policy had also revised GDP growth downwards to 5% for 2019-20 from 6.1% in its October policy.

DEFENCE

1. Indian Navy Launched Maha-Navy Connect 2020: A Tri-Dimensional Expedition: Indian Navy has launched an expedition ‘Maha-Navy Connect 2020: A Tri-Dimensional Expedition’, to promote the maritime heritage of India and spread awareness about Coastal Security amongst the coastal communities in the Naval Dockyard, Mumbai Maharashtra. The Vice Admiral Ajit Kumar, the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command flagged off the tri-dimensional expedition consisting of yachting, running and cycling teams of 50 naval personnel along three different axes. The expedition extends from Arnala fort, Northernmost fort of Maharashtra to Sindhudurg fort, the southernmost fort of Maharashtra, covering more than 555 km. The expedition will be held until January 11

Note: Chief of Naval Staff: Admiral Karambir Singh.