Daily GK Updates - 17th March, 2020

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Prez Kovind nominates former CJI Ranjan Gogoi to Rajya Sabha: President Ram Nath Kovind has nominated Former Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi to the Rajya Sabha. Mr Gogoi served as the 46th Chief Justice of India from 3rd October 2018 till 17th November last year. Article 80(1)(a) read with Article 80(3) of the Constitution of India provides that the President can nominate to Rajya Sabha, 12 persons having special knowledge, or practical experience in respect of literature, science, art and social service.

2. Ministry of External Affairs opens 24x7 helplines for COVID-19: Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has opened 24x7 helplines for COVID-19. The toll-free number of the Control Room is 1800118797. Other numbers are 91- 11- 23012113, 91- 11- 23014104 and 91- 11- 23017905. The fax number is 91- 011- 23018158. People can also mail on the email ID covid19@mea.gov.in.

3. Hirdesh Kumar becomes new Chief Electoral Officer of J&K: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has been appointed Hirdesh Kumar as the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory. He will replace Shailendra Kumar with effect from the date he assumes charge. Hridesh Kumar is a 1999 batch IAS officer & presently serving as Commissioner Secretary in the School Education Department of J&K.

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

4. NMCG concludes 'Ganga Amantran Abhiyan' in New Delhi: The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) organised a grand event in the national capital to mark the conclusion of its flagship programme Ganga Amantran Abhiyan. Amit Shah was invited as the chief guest at the event to confer the awards to various achievers who contributed towards the successful completion of the programme. Ganga Amantran Abhiyan was a pioneering exploratory open-water rafting and kayaking expedition on the Ganga river from Devprayag to Ganga Sagar.

5. CRPF & Aditya Mehta foundation sign MoU to enable the ‘Divyang Warriors’: The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) inked a deal with a disability support NGO Aditya Mehta Foundation, to train its troops, who lost their limbs in operations, in various skills including cyber operations, artificial intelligence and para-sports.

Note: Headquarters of CRPF: New Delhi; CRPF founded: 27 July 1939.

6. Oil India signs COSA agreement with Numaligarh Refinery: India’s second-largest national oil explorer, Oil India Limited (OIL) has inked the Crude Oil Sales Agreement (COSA) with Numaligarh Refinery. The agreement has been signed by the two entities for sale and purchase of crude oil. The COSA agreement is expected to streamline sale and purchase transactions of crude oil which will be produced from fields in the North East India. The COSA agreement will be effective for a term of five years, i.e. from 1 April, 2020 to 31 March 2025.

7. An Extraordinary Life: A biography of Manohar Parrikar’: A book on former Chief Minister of Goa, Manohar Parrikar, title “An Extraordinary Life: A biography of Manohar Parrikar” is set to hit stands in April 2020. The book is co-authored by veteran journalists Sadguru Patil and Mayabhushan Nagvenkar. The book titled “An Extraordinary Life: A biography of Manohar Parrikar” will be published by publishing house Penguin Random House India.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Philippines becomes 1st country to suspend all financial markets: The Phillipines has become the first country of the world to suspend all financial markets. The financial shutdown was confirmed from the statements from the Philippine Stock Exchange and the Bankers Association of the Philippines. The Philippine Stock Exchange was closed on 17th of March indefinitely, while currency and bond trading were suspended.

Note: Capital of Philippines: Manila; Currency: Philippine Peso.

2. Top tech giants to jointly fight against COVID-19 misinformation: The top tech giants of the world will jointly fight against the fake news and misinformation related to COVID-19 on their platforms. The top giants which have announced a fight against the fake news includes Facebook, Google, LinkedIn, Microsoft, Reddit, Twitter and YouTube. These companies are working closely to have a check on the fake news and misinformation related to COVID-19.

3. Bangladesh celebrates birth Centenary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman: Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina went to the birthplace of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (founder President) in Tungipara to pay tribute to Bangabandhu. PM Modi participated in 100th birth anniversary celebrations of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman via a video message. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was born on 17th March 1920 in the town of Tungipara in Gopalganj district of the then undivided India.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Olympic flame handover for Tokyo Games to take place without spectators: The Olympic flame handover ceremony for the Tokyo Games will take place without spectators in an effort to contain the coronavirus outbreak. The accreditation cards that had been issued for a ceremony at the stadium in Athens where the first modern Olympics were held in 1896 would not be valid. The committee cancelled the remainder of the Olympic torch relay last week after crowds gathered in southern Greece to watch part of the torch relay in Sparta.

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. India's forex reserves rise 5.69 bn to 487.23 bn: India's foreign exchange swelled by 5.69 billion US dollars to reach an all-time high of 487.23 billion dollars in the week ended 6th March 2020. Gold reserves also increased by 320 million dollars to 31 billion dollars. India's special drawing rights with the International Monetary Fund went up by 15 million dollars to 1.447 billion dollars. The country's reserve position also increased by 50 million dollars to 3.656 billion dollars.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

1. Flipkart ties up with Aegon to sell life insurance policies: Indian E-commerce company Flipkart has tied up with Aegon Life Insurance to sell comprehensive insurance solutions for customers. The tie up targets those customers who are seeking instant digital policies with a sum assured of up to Rs 10 lakh. These life insurance policies do not need medical tests or paperwork as it is an instant life insurance cover, with digital policy as its core value proposition.

OBITUARIES

1. Bollywood actor Imtiaz Khan passes away: Amjad Khan’s brother and Bollywood actor Imtiaz Khan (77-years) passed away in Mumbai. Imtiaz Khan starred in movies like Yaadon Ki Baraat, Dharmatama, Dayavan and Noor Jahan among more. He was an actor and director, and associated with popular films such as Hulchul, Pyaara Dost, Procession of Memories and Noor Jahan.

2. Veteran poet Puthussery Ramachandran passes away: Veteran poet and Malayalam scholar Puthussery Ramachandran (91-years) passed away. 'Onnanthyakkuttam’ was his first poem which was published in 1944. His poetry works were majorly concentrated on an in-depth study of the early and medieval Malayalam language along with the early history of Kerala. He played various roles in his life such as teacher, poet, writer as well as a political activist at one point of time.