Daily GK Updates - 1st May, 2020

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. USAID announces USD 3 million Grant for India to fight COVID-19: On April 30, 2020, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced an additional grant of $3 million to India to combat the coronavirus pandemic. The US agency has earlier announced a grant of $2.9 million to India on 6 April 2020 to mitigate the spread of the deadly virus. With this, the total amount granted by USAID has reached $5.9 million to assist India in responding to the COVID-19 outbreak. The USAID is providing these funds under the Partnerships for Affordable Healthcare Access and Longevity (PAHAL) project.

2. Nitin Gadkari launches “MSME Bank of Schemes, Ideas, Innovation and Research” portal: Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways and MSME Shri Nitin Gadkari has launched a portal on “MSME Bank of Schemes, Ideas, Innovation and Research”. The Portal gives access to all Schemes of Union, State and UT Governments related to MSME. The portal also provides for uploading Ideas, Innovations & Researches in the MSME sector. The URL of the portal is http://ideas.msme.gov.in/. It can also facilitate inflow of venture capital, and foreign collaboration. The portal has been launched by the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises.

3. NCSTS-DST Launches YASH Programme on Health & Risk Communication with focus on COVID-19: The National Council for Science & Technology Communication (NCSTC) under the Department of Science & Technology (DST) has launched a programme called YASH for health and risk communication, with main focus on COVID-19. YASH stands for “Year of Awareness on Science & Health (YASH)”. The YASH initiative aims to involve academic, research, media, and voluntary organizations to facilitate necessary actions and emergency preparedness of society to address the COVID-19 challenge. It is also targeted at encouraging public engagement and participation, perceptions, in risk-related communication processes to open wide routes for building capacities. Involvement of stakeholders and communities will develop a greater sense of awareness, to take informed decisions regarding healthcare and associated risks.

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

4. Black Rice Chak-Hao from Manipur, Gorakhpur terracotta and Kovilpatti kadalai mittai of TN Gets GI Tag: Chak-Hao, the scented glutinous rice popularly known as Black Rice cultivated in Manipur, has got GI (Geographical Indications). The application for Chak-Hao was filed by the Consortium of Producers of Chak-Hao (Black Rice), Manipur and was facilitated by the Department of Agriculture, Government of Manipur and the North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Limited (NERAMAC). Besides this, the terracotta work of Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh has also received the GI Tag, whose application was filed by Laxmi Terracotta Murtikala Kendra in Uttar Pradesh.. Also, Kovilpatti kadalai mittai, a peanut candy, from Tamil Nadu has also bagged GI tag. This data was given by the Geographical Indications Registry of Ministry of Commerce and Industries on its website.

GI Tag	Category	State
Chak-Hao (Black Rice)	Agricultural	Manipur
Gorakhpur terracotta	Handicraft	Uttar Pradesh
Kovilpatti kadalai mittai	Food Stuff	Tamil Nadu

5. Chhattisgarh top state in providing employment to workers under MGNREGS: Chhattisgarh has topped the list of states in providing employment to unskilled labourers under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) amid the nationwide lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic. The data was released by the Union Rural Development Ministry. Chhattisgarh has provided employment to 18.51 lakh workers under MGNREGS. Rajasthan is on second while Uttar Pradesh is on the third.

Note: Union Minister for Rural Development: Narendra Singh Tomar.

Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh: Bhupesh Baghel; Governor: Anusuiya Uikey.

6. MoC launches PMU for timely operationalisation of coal mines: A Project Monitoring Unit (PMU) has been launched by the Ministry of Coal (MoC). The Project Monitoring Unit aims to facilitate early operationalisation of coal mines which have been allocated by the Central Government. It will help the Coal mines allocatees in attaining various clearances required from the Central/State government authorities in order to operationalise the mines and hence, will promote Ease of Doing Business in the coal industry.

Note: Union Minister for Coal: Pralhad Joshi.

7. Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan Scripts New World Record of becoming the most-watched TV show: The epic mythological show Ramayan, by Ramanand Sagar, has scripted new world wide record of becoming the most watched entertainment programme in the world in 2020 as of April 16. This announcement was made by Doordharshan (DD) on its Twitter handle on 30 April 2020, based on the data released by Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) India. As per DD, Ramayan has also clocked the highest viewership record on a single day and has reported a viewership of 7.7 crore as of 16 April 2020. Besides this, the record has also contributed to make DD as one of the most viewed channels. The show Ramayan, based on the life of mythical character Lord Ram, was first aired on the DD channel, two decades ago, in January 1987 and ended in July 1988. It began re-telecasting from March 28 after the nationwide lockdown was announced.

8. All India Institute of Ayurveda Launches AYURAKSHA for Delhi Police Officials: The All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), under Ministry of AYUSH, has launched an initiative in collaboration with the Delhi Police to boost immunity of Delhi Police personal. The joint programme titled AYURAKSHA “Corona Se Jung- Delhi Police Ke Sang” aims to fight against corona through simple and time tested Ayurveda immunity boosting measures. Under the initiative, recommended formulations like Chyawanaprasha (Amla as main content), Anu Taila and SanshamaniVati (prepared from Guduchi) will be distributed to the Delhi police personal in phased manner. It will be distributed to 80000 frontline workers across 15 districts.

Note: Minister of State (I/C) for Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy: Shripad Yesso Naik.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Extraordinary Virtual G20 Digital Economy Ministers Summit:  An Extraordinary Virtual G20 Digital Economy Ministers summit was held under the presidency of Saudi Arabia. Union Minister for Law & Justice, Communications and Electronics & IT, Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad represented India in the virtual summit. The virtual summit also featured the participation of Digital Ministers of 19 other G20 Members, invited countries and International Organisations.

2. International Labour Day: 1 May: International Labour Day 2020 observed globally on 1st May every year.  It is also known as International Worker’s Day and May Day. This day is observed to pay tribute to the contribution of workers across the world. It was only in the year 1891 when 1st May was announced formally to be observed as International Labour Day each year. In India, Labour Day was first celebrated in Madras on May 1, 1923 under the leadership of the socialist and leftist parties at the time.

Note: Headquarters of International Labour Organization: Geneva, Switzerland; President of International Labour Organization: Guy Ryder; International Labour Organization Founded: 1919.

3. India ranked 53rd in budget transparency, accountability in IBP survey: India has been ranked at 53rd position out of 117 nations in terms of budget transparency and accountability as per a Open Budget Survey conducted by International Budget Partnership (IBP). New Zealand has topped the chart. It has a score of 87 out of 100. India’s Union Budget process has a transparency score of 49 out of 100. This is higher than the global average of 45.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. FIFA launches #WeWillWin campaign to pay tribute to health workers: Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has launched a campaign called “#WeWillWin”. Through this campaign FIFA tribute a special video to health workers and other professionals who ensure the society continues to function among COVID-19 pandemic. Former India football captain Bhaichung Bhutia who is also featured among 50 past and present football stars.

Note: President of FIFA: Gianni Infantino; Founded: 21 May 1904; Headquarters: Zurich, Switzerland.

2. Karnataka to host online chess tournament titled ‘Checkmate COVID-19’: The Karnataka Youth Empowerment and Sports department and United Karnataka Chess Association will host an online chess tournament to raise funds for CM Covid-19 relief fund. The event is titled as "Checkmate COVID-19." The Chess players across the country can register on Mobile Premier League gaming platform by donating fifty rupees. The tournament will be held on May 2nd and 3rd. The total prize pool is 10 lakh rupees and the first prize is one lakh rupees.

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. RBI Extends Regulatory Benefits under SLF-MF Scheme to all Banks: Reserve Bank of India extended regulatory benefits announced under the SLF-MF (Special Liquidity Facility for Mutual Funds) scheme to all banks including those deploying their own resources. Earlier in the week, the Reserve Bank had announced Rs 50,000-crore SLF-MF scheme to bailout the mutual funds facing redemption pressure. The scheme is extended due to multiple request received by RBI from Banks. The benefits can be availed without consecutive funding from RBI.

2. KVGB Launches Collateral free MSME Loan Scheme ‘Vikas Abhaya’: The Karnataka Vikas Grameen Bank (KVGB), launched a loan scheme for existing micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) borrowers, whose business activities are disrupted on account of the Covid-19 pandemic. The ‘Vikas Abhaya’ loan scheme is an additional credit facility to the eligible existing MSME borrowers who have been regular as on February 29. Under the scheme, a maximum loan of up to Rs 1 lakh will be provided, with no requirement of collateral security. The loan is repayable within 36 months.

Note: Karnataka Vikas Grameena Bank Headquarters: Dharwad, Karnataka; Karnataka Vikas Grameena Bank chairman: P Gopi Krishna.

3. Shikha Sharma appointed as advisor of Google Pay India: Former Axis Bank CEO, Shikha Sharma has been appointed as an advisor to digital payments app Google Pay India. Google Pay has been leading UPI Payments adoption in India. During the ongoing lockdown, Google launched its “Nearby Spot” to help users in Bengaluru find local stores selling essentials like groceries that are open amid the lockdown. The Nearby Spot will be launched in Hyderabad, Chennai, Mumbai, Pune, and Delhi soon, Google has said at the time. Google Pay is one of the leading apps on Unified Payments Payments Interface (UPI), battling with the likes of Amazon Pay, Paytm, etc.

Note: Sundar Pichai is the Present CEO of Google; Alphabet Inc. is the Parent company of Google.

AWARDS AND HONOURS

1. IIT-Madras professor T Pradeep Chosen for Nikkei Asia prizes 2020: The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) Professor T Pradeep, has been selected for the Nikkei Asia Prizes 2020 in the “Science and Technology” category. The Padma Shri awardee T. Pradeep has been recognized for his pioneering work in nanotechnology-based water purification system that works without expensive filtration membranes or electricity. The nanotechnology-enabled water filters have helped deliver clean water at a cost of just 2 paise per litre in India. Complete list of winners of the prize is as follows:

Science and Technology: Professor Thalappil Pradeep (India)

Culture and Community: Ram Prasad Kadel (Nepal)

Economic and Business Innovation: Anthony Tan (Malaysia) & Tan Hooi Ling (Malaysia)

Note: The Nikkei Asia Prizes are annual awards conferred on individuals who have contributed to bring sustainable development in the region and for the creation of a better future in Asia.

2. Thangjam Dhabali Singh conferred ‘Order of Rising Sun’ by Japan: Manipuri doctor, Thangjam Dhabali Singh conferred ‘Order of Rising Sun’ by Japan government. This award is given for him to promoting a better understanding of Japan in India and deepening ties between the two countries.

Note: Capital of Japan: Tokyo; Currency of Japan: yen; Prime Minister of Japan: Shinzo Abe.

OBITUARIES

1. Freedom fighter & Padma Shri awardee Hema Bharali passes away: Assam born renowned freedom fighter and Padma Shri awardee Hema Bharali passed away in Guwahati suffering from prolonged illness. She was 101. Hema Bharali, who was born on 19 February 1919 was an Indian freedom activist, social worker, Sarvodaya leader and Gandhian known for her contributions for the empowerment of women and efforts towards the upliftment of the socially and financially challenged sections of the society. She had received the Padma Shri in 2005.

2. Legendary footballer Chuni Goswami passed away: Former India footballer Chuni Goswami passed away at the age of 82 years. Apart from playing football, he had also played first-class cricket for Bengal. He was the captain of Indian Football Team that won the 1962 Asian Games gold medal. Under his captaincy, India finished as runner-up at the Asian Cup in 1964. He played 50 matches for India as a footballer from 1956 to 1964. He was honoured with Arjun award, Padmasree and Mohonbagan Ratna awards for his outstanding contributions in the field of Sports. The West Bengal Government conferred him the highest civilian award Banga Bibhusan in 2013.