Daily GK Updates - 12th April, 2020

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. KVIC developed Double Layered Khadi Masks: Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has developed a double layered Khadi mask in order to curb the spread of COVID-19. The Double Layered Khadi Mask has been developed with the help of Double Twisted Khadi fabric that helps in retaining 70% of the moisture content inside and also allows an easy passage for the air to pass through. These masks can easily be reused, washable and biodegradable.

Note: Chairman of Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC): V.K. Saxena

2. Government to set up 20 lakh ‘Suraksha’ retail shops to provide daily essentials: The government has planned to set up a chain of 20 lakh retail shops called ‘Suraksha Stores’ across India. These stores will provide daily essentials to citizens while maintaining stringent safety norms in the wake of COVID-19. The Suraksha Stores initiative will convert the neighborhood Kirana stores into sanitized retail outlets selling daily essentials while adhering to safety norms such as social distancing and sanitization to control the spread of the novel coronavirus.

3. Indian Railways’ First ‘Walk Through Mass Sanitizing Tunnel’ Installed at Ahmedabad Railway Station: The Ahmedabad railway station at Kalupur has installed a Walk through Mass Sanitizing Tunnel, to ensure the safety of staff and passengers in view of the COVID-19. The Sanitizer Tunnel has been set up by Ahmedabad division of the Western Railway and is the first station on Indian Railways to get such tunnel.

Features of Walk Through Mass Sanitizing Tunnel: The overall length of the tunnel is 20 feet long which can be covered within 10 seconds. It is fitted with a sensor so that when a passenger approaches at the entrance of tunnel, it starts fogging automatically with WHO approved sanitizer. The tunnel can sanitize 25 to 30 persons per minute and consumes approximately 20 ml sanitizer per person. The system of the tunnel runs on the principle of Vaporization process which converts the sanitizer mixture into vapour which forms a uniform layer over the surface which dries up quickly.

Note: Chairman of Railway Board: Vinod Kumar Yadav; Headquarters of Indian Railway: New Delhi; Minister of Railway: Piyush Goyal.

4. Manipur govt starts new initiative ‘Food Bank’ to help the poor: Government of Manipur starts a new initiative titled ‘Food Bank’ in view of the threat of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). This initiative provides immediate aid within the sort of free food to the poor and needy who face scarcity of essential commodities due to the long statewide lockdown. Distribution of food items, hand sanitisers and face masks has already started to Drug Rehabilitation Centres and people living with HIV located in Imphal East District. Donation of essential food items to public will be made after proper verification.

Note: Manipur Chief Minister: N. Biren Singh; Governor of Manipur: Najma Heptulla.

5. Prasar Bharti launches new channel “DD Retro”: India’s Public service broadcaster Prasar Bharti has rolled out a new channel called DD Retro. The new channel “DD Retro” would be specifically dedicated to old classics of Doordarshan. The channel has been launched by Prasar Bharti in the wake of the covid-19 pandemic to keep viewers engaged.

Note: CEO of Prasar Bharati: Shashi S. Vempati.              

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Convicted killer of Bangladesh’s first president Abdul Majed hanged: The convicted killer of Bangladesh’s first President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was hanged immediately after midnight in Dhaka. The self-confessed fugitive and former army personnel Abdul Majed was arrested on 7th April from Mirpur area of Dhaka by the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit of Bangladesh. Abdul Majed was among the 12 former army personnel who were awarded death sentence in 1998 for the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975.

2. International Day of Human Space Flight: 12 April: The International Day of Human Space Flight is celebrated annually on April 12 to mark the anniversary of the first human space flight by Yuri Gagarin on April 12, 1961. The day was proclaimed at the 65th session of the United Nations General Assembly on April 7, 2011, a few days before the 50th anniversary of the flight. In Soviet Union, the day is observed as International Day of Aviation and Cosmonautics.

Note: Yuri Gagarin crewed the Vostok 1 space flight in 1961, making one orbit around the Earth over 108 minutes in the Vostok 3KA spacecraft launched by Vostok-K launch vehicle.

3. Prasad Adhikari appointed as Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank: Maha Prasad Adhikari has been appointed as the Governor of the Central bank of Nepal i.e. Nepal Rastra Bank. He has been appointed for a five-year term.

4. Apple acquires popular weather app Dark Sky: Apple acquired the popular weather app Dark Sky for an undisclosed amount. Dark Sky said no changes will be made to its iOS app, which costs $3.99. It will no longer be available to download for Android users. Service for Android subscribers will stay active until July 1, and then will shut down.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Bangladesh pacer Mohammad Sharif retires from all forms of cricket: Bangladesh pacer Mohammad Sharif, who last played an international match in 2007, announced his retirement from all forms of cricket, ending a 20-year-long illustrious domestic career. The 34-year-old had an amazing record in the first-class cricket. In 132 matches, he has bagged 393 wickets with an average of 28.03 including 15 five-wicket hauls. The right-arm bowler made his debut against Zimbabwe in an ODI fixture in 2001. He went on to play nine 50-over matches for the country and scalped 10 wickets.

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. Mahabaleshwara M S Reappointed as MD & CEO of Karnataka Bank for 3 Years: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved the reappointment of Mahabaleshwara M S as MD and CEO of private sector lender Karnataka Bank for a period of three years with effect from April 15, 2020. Mahabaleshwara took charge as MD & CEO of Karnataka Bank on April 12, 2017 and has over 29 years of banking experience both at administrative and operational levels. The regulator has also approved for reappointment of P Jayarama Bhat as Part Time (Non Executive) Chairman of the bank. He will hold office upto November 13, 2021 (i.e. upto the upper age limit of 70 years).

Note: Karnataka Bank Limited Headquarters: Mangalore, Karnataka.

2. RV Verma Appointed as Non-Executive Chairman of AU Small Finance Bank for 3 Years: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved the appointment of Raj Vikash (RV) Verma, former Chairman and Managing Director of National Housing Bank, as Non-Executive Chairman of AU Small Finance Bank for a period of one year with effect from April 8, 2020. Verma has been associated with AU Small Finance Bank since 2018 as an independent director. RBI has also approved the re-appointment of Sanjay Agarwal as Managing Director & CEO of the bank, while Uttam Tibrewal as Wholetime Director of AU Small Finance Bank for a period of three years with effect from April 19, 2020.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

1. World Bank Projects India’s GDP Growth at 1.5-2.8 pc in 2020-21: The World Bank has estimated India’s economy to grow 1.5 percent to 2.8 percent in the 2020-21 fiscal in its South Asia Economic Focus report, released on 12 April, 2020. This is the worst growth performance to be recorded by India since the 1991 liberalisation, as the coronavirus outbreak severely disrupts the economy. For 2019-20, India will grow 4.8 percent to 5 percent. Growth is expected to rebound to 5% in Fiscal 2021-22 as the impact of COVID-19 dissipates.

OBITUARIES

1. Legendary motor-racing driver Sir Stirling Moss passes away: The legendary motor-racing driver, Sir Stirling Moss (90 years) passed away. Moss was widely known as the greatest driver never to win the Formula One drivers’ world championship. The British driver took part in Formula One from 1951 to 1961 and made 67 starts in the F1 World Championship, claiming victory winning 16 races and claiming 16 pole positions and 24 podium positions. Sir Stirling Moss was named the BBC’s sports personality of the year in year 1961.

2. Legendary Chelsea goalkeeper Peter Bonetti passes away: Peter Bonetti (78 years), the former Chelsea and England goalkeeper passes away. He was known by the nickname “The Cat” for his outstanding reflexes and agility. He kept 208 clean sheets in 729 appearances for the London club over two spells from 1960-75 and 1977-79. Bonetti made seven appearances for England, including in the 1970 World Cup finals.