Daily GK Updates - 19th May, 2020

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Madhya Pradesh launches Charan Paduka Campaign for migrant Labourers: In a first of its kind of initiative, the Madhya Pradesh police have started Charan Paduka (चरण पादुका) campaign for the migrant labourers passing through the state. Under the Charan Paduka campaign, the migrant labourers going barefoot are being provided shoes and slippers by the police to reduce their pain. The campaign was started from the Rau Police Station of Indore and has spread in many cities of MP including Damoh, Umaria and Sagar.

Note: Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh: Shivraj Singh Chouhan; Governor: Lal Ji Tandon.

2. Rajesh Goel appointed as Director General of Real Estate body NAREDCO: Rajesh Goel has been appointed as the Director General (DG) of the National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO), a self-regulatory realtors body under the aegis of Housing and Urban Affairs Government of India. Prior to this, he was serving as the chairman and Managing Director of Hindustan Prefab Ltd. Rajesh Goel has 37 years’ experience in leading PSUs under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). NAREDCO and CREDAI are the two major associations of real estate developers across the country.

Note: National Real Estate Development Council Established: 1998; National Real Estate Development Council Headquarters: New Delhi.

3. Karnataka launches H.A.C.K for cyber security start-ups: An accelerator programme branded as “H.A.C.K” has been launched by the Karnataka’s Centre of Excellence in cyber security (CySecK). H.A.C.K is the Karnataka’s first cybersecurity-specific accelerator programme comprising of 21 start-ups on board across three cohorts: 10x cohort, 0-1 cohort and virtual cohort. It will also support Atma-Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. It will also facilitate standardisation for information security, and technical training in cyber security.

Note: Chief Minister of Karnataka: B.S. Yediyurappa; Governor: Vajubhai Vala.

4. India Post releases Special Postal Cover for migrant workers: India Post has released Special Postal Cover dedicated to the migrant workers. The Special Postal Cover was released with an objective of paying tribute to them during an event at the Bicentennial Hall of the historic Mumbai GPO building. Five migrant workers were called upon from different sectors to release the Special Postal Cover which was released during an event at the Bicentennial Hall of the historic Mumbai GPO building. The release of Special Cover was an attempt made by India Post to keep the struggles and contributions of migrant workers, recorded in the history of India.

Note: Director General of India Post: Arundhaty Ghosh.

5. NALSA launches report on undertrials released during the lockdown period: National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) has released a report showing the 42,259 undertrial prisoners release during the COVID-19 pandemic. As per the report, highest numbers of undertrial prisoners released were 9,977 in Uttar Pradesh, followed by 5,460 in Rajasthan, 4,547 in Tamil Nadu, 3,698 in Punjab and 3,400 in Maharashtra. A total of 16,391 convicts were released on parole as per the report. NALSA provide free legal services to weaker sections of society.

6. Culture Minister hosted ‘Revitalising Museums and Cultural Spaces’: Ministry of Culture hosted a webinar titled “Revitalising Museums and Cultural Spaces” to celebrate the International Museum Day and for creating sustainable cultural organizations post COVID-19. The objective is to identify the possible policy actions that will help alleviate the short and long-term effects of the COVID-19 crisis on museums, and cultural spaces. The technical assistance was given by National e-Governance Division created by MeitY.

7. Govt implements Shekatkar Committee recommendations: Central Government has accepted and implemented recommendations of D B Shekatkar Committee for border Infrastructure. Government is all set to speed up road construction that will enhance socio economic development in the border areas. It has implemented outsourcing of road construction and make adoption of EPC mode for work costing more than Rs 100 crore.

Introduction of modern construction plants, equipment, machinery, and New Technology has also been implemented.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. 73rd session of World Health Assembly held via video conferencing: The 73rd session of World Health Assembly was held via video conferencing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 73rd session of the assembly featured the participation of the delegations from all WHO Member States and focused on a specific health agenda prepared by the Executive Board. During the session, India was represented by Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan. Every year World Health Assembly meets in Geneva, Switzerland but this year, the meet was held through online mode.

Note: World Health Assembly is the decision-making body of WHO;WHA’s Headquarter: Geneva, Switzerland.

2. Japan launches new unit for defense in outer space named Space Operations Squadron: Japan launched a new space defense unit that will monitor and counter threats to the satellites of Japan. The unit is named Space Operations Squadron and is a part of Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force. It has started will 20 members and will become fully operational by the year 2023. The role of Space Operations Squadron is to monitor and protect Japanese satellites from enemy attacks or space debris.

3. Baltic countries to start ‘travel bubble’: Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have started ‘travel bubble’ for bringing their economies to track post-pandemic lockdown. Travel bubble will reconnect countries or states with a good level of success in containing coronavirus domestically enhancing 35% of GDP. It will than allow the group members for trade ties and kickstart travel-tourism sectors. Under this, residents will be allowed to travel freely by rail, air and sea without any quarantine.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. ICC cricket committee set to ban the use of saliva to shine ball: The International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Cricket Committee has recommended banning on the use of saliva to shine the ball. The practice meant for swing bowling is now primarily held as health risk due to the threats of COVID-19 and protect the safety of players and match officials. This committee is chaired by former India leg-spinner Anil Kumble.

Note: Chairman of ICC: Shashank Manohar; Chief Executive: Manu Sahney; Headquarters: Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

2. Bundesliga becomes 1st major sports event to resume post COVID-19 lockdown: The Bundesliga primary football league of Germany becomes the world’s first major sports event to resume after COVID-19 lockdown. The Bundesliga games began with empty stadium though the stadium had the capacity to hold more than 80,000 players. Bundesliga means “Federal League”. The Bundesliga is the primary football league in Germany. The game was begun in 1963.

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. Canara Bank sets up business vertical for gold loans: Canara Bank has launched special gold loans business vertical to help customer’s financial need amid COVID-19 pandemic. Under this, the campaign will be held till June 30, 2020. The loan will be facilitated at 7.85% interest rate per annum and are payable for a period of 1 to 3 years with flexible repayment options. This will help customers in meeting the expenses of different sectors like agriculture & allied sector, business needs, health emergencies and personal need.

Note: Canara Bank Headquarters: Bangalore, Karnataka; Canara Bank Chairman: T.N. Manoharan; Canara Bank MD and CEO: L.V. Prabhakar.

2. Kotak Mahindra Bank becomes first bank in India to allow video KYC: Kotak Mahindra Bank has introduced the video-KYC (Know your customer) facility for customers opening savings account on Kotak 811 platform. With this, Kotak Mahindra Bank has become the first Indian bank to offer video-based “zero-contact” onboarding service. The initiative is presently being launched on a pilot basis for savings accounts. RBI has introduced the notification regarding Video-based KYC in January 2020. With Video KYC, verification of documents and signature are completed via a video call with a representative from the bank without any physical interface.

Note: Kotak Mahindra Bank Establishment: 2003; Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra; Kotak Mahindra Bank Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer: Uday Kotak

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

1. Alibaba’s Jack Ma resigns from SoftBank board: Alibaba co-founder Jack Ma resigns from SoftBank board of directors. Jack Ma was serving for nearly 13 years in the board. Ma is expected to resign from the Group’s board on June 25. The news comes as the group posted record financial loss of USD 13 billion. Jack Ma had retired as the Executive Chairman of Alibaba in September 2019. SoftBank will now appoint three new members to the board, including group Chief Financial Officer Yoshimoto Goto, at its annual general meeting. The board members numbers will expand to 13 as per the company.

Note: SoftBank CEO: Masayoshi Son; SoftBank Headquarters: Minato City, Tokyo, Japan; SoftBank established: 3 September 1981.

DEFENCE

1. Utility Ship ‘INLCU L57’ commissioned into Indian Navy: Indigenously developed Landing Craft Utility Ship 'INLCU L57' (Mark IV warship) commissioned into Indian Navy in Port Blair. INLCU L57 is built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE). Landing Craft Utility (LCU) MK-IV class is the 7th warship to be inducted into Indian Navy. This ship can carry 160 troops and can be used for transporting and deploying main battle tanks like Arjun, T72, etc along with search & rescue, disaster relief, etc.

Note: Chief of Naval Staff: Admiral Karambir Singh.

OBITUARIES

1. Australian Rugby League Great, Arthur Summons Passes Away: Former Australian rugby league captain, Arthur Summons, has passed away. He was 84. The former Kangaroos captain and coach is portrayed on the National Rugby League Trophy (NRL) along with rival captain Norm Provan. The NRL trophy was renamed the Provan-Summons Trophy on the 50th anniversary of the match in 2013. The trophy is awarded each year to Australia’s rugby league premiers.