Daily GK Updates - 2nd May, 2020

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. DIAT develops Microwave Steriliser ‘ATULYA‘ to disintegrate Coronavirus: The Defence Institute of Advanced Technology – Pune, a deemed university supported by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed a path-breaking piece of technology named ATULYA, a microwave steriliser. Atulya can disintegrate Covid-19 virus within 30 seconds. With this product, the virus gets disintegrated by differential heating in the range of 56 degree to 60 degree celsius temperatures. The sterilisation time can range from 30 to 60 seconds depending on the size and shape of objects. The total weight of Atulya is 3 kilos and it can be used for sterilising non-metallic objects only. The product is cost effective solution, which can be operated in portable or fixed installations.

2. GoI raises MSP for Minor Forest Produce ranging from 16% to 66%: Government of India has revised the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Minor Forest Produce (MFP) of 49 items. MSP for MFPs is revised once in every 3 years by the Pricing Cell constituted under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. The increase across various items of minor forest produce ranges from 16% to 66%. The increase is expected to provide an immediate and much needed momentum to procurement of Minor Tribal Produce in at least 20 States amid COVID-19.

Note: Union Minister for Tribal Affairs: Arjun Munda; Minister of State for Tribal Affairs: Renuka Singh Saruta.

3. CSIR-CRRI Launches Kisan Sabha App to Connect Farmers to Supply Chain and Freight Transportation Management System: The CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI), New Delhi has developed a mobile app Kisan Sabha to connect farmers with supply chain and freight transportation management system, in the present situation of COVID 19. The app will enable the farmers in seed/ fertilizer procurement as well as their harvest reaching the market, among other things and thus facilitate the timely delivery of the produce at the best possible prices. The Kisan Sabha App will also help in providing best market rates of crops by comparing nearest mandis, booking of freight vehicle at cheapest cost thereby giving maximum benefit to the farmers.

Note: Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare: Narendra Singh Tomar; Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare: Parshottam Rupala.

4. A K Sharma assumes charge as Secretary to MSME Ministry: Arvind Kumar Sharma assumed charge as Secretary in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Ministry. Prior to this appointment, Sharma was serving as Additional Secretary, Prime Minister's Office (PMO). He is a 1988 batch IAS officer of the Gujarat cadre. Sharma's appointment as MSME Secretary comes at a time when the sector is facing a huge crisis owing to the coronavirus infection. As MSME Secretary, he is expected to play a key role in revival of the sector.

Note: Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises: Nitin Jairam Gadkari.

5. Ramesh Babu assumes charge as director operations at NTPC: Ramesh Babu V has assumed charge as director operations at State-owned power giant NTPC, effective May 1. He joined NTPC as an executive in 1987 and has more than 32 years of experience in managing large power stations in the areas of operations and maintenance units as well as in the domains of efficiency & systems improvement of thermal plants. Before his appointment as director, he was the executive director to the CMD while also working for NTPC power plants.

6. Union Culture Minister Launches e-book “Prof. B. B. Lal -India Rediscovered”: The Union Culture Minister Shri Prahlad Singh Patel released an e-book titled “Prof. B. B. Lal -India Rediscovered” on 2 May 2020 in New Delhi, on the occasion of centenary year of great archaeologist Professor B. B. Lal. The book has been prepared by Ministry of Culture in collaboration with Prof B B Lal Centenary Celebration Committee, as a tribute for his immense contribution to the field of archaeology. Prof. B. B. Lal was conferred with the Padma Bhushan in the year of 2000. He had also served as the Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) from 1968 to 1972.

7. CSIR-CSIO creates Electrostatic Disinfection Machine for disinfection: The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, CSIR’s Scientific Instruments Organisation, Chandigarh has developed an Electrostatic Disinfection Machine that is effective in the disinfection and sanitization process by reducing the spread of coronavirus and pathogens. The machine works on the electrostatic principle and makes uniform and fine spray droplets of disinfectants to kill microorganisms and viruses.

8. Ministry of Home Affairs reconstitutes empowered groups: The 11 empowered groups of officers created by the govt. to implement Covid-19 containment measures in the country have been reconstituted. The reconstitution of the groups, first created on March 29 under the Disaster Management Act, was necessitated as some members either retired, appointed, or were transferred from posting. Empowered groups under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, reconstituted for planning and ensuring the implementation of Covid-19 activities.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. US Navy to host world's largest maritime exercises in Hawaii: The United States Navy will host the world's largest maritime exercises in Hawaii again this year, but the drills will only be held at sea because of the Coronavirus. The Navy has held the Rim of the Pacific exercises in Hawaii every two years since the early 1970s. The drills will also be held over two weeks, from 17th to 31st August, instead of the usual five weeks of events from late June to early August.

2. International Spring Astronomy Day 2020: 2nd May: The International Astronomy Day is celebrated twice a year. One in autumn season and another in spring season. The Spring Astronomy Day 2020 is being celebrated on May 2, 2020. It occurs on Saturday between mid-April and mid-May, such that the day falls at or close to the first quarter Moon. The Autumn Astronomy Day 2020 will be held on September 26, 2020. It is scheduled to occur on a Saturday between mid-September and mid-October so as to be on or close to the first quarter Moon. The idea to observe the day was started in 1973 by Doug Berger, the president of the Astronomical Association of Northern California, whose intent was to set up various telescopes in busy urban locations so that passersby could enjoy views of the heavens. Since then the event is being observed to create awareness and educate people about the beautiful universe.

3. World Tuna Day: 2nd May: World Tuna Day is observed on May 2 every year to raise awareness about the Tuna fish and its importance to humans and earth and also to promote more sustainable fishing practices. It was observed for the first time in 2017. Tuna is a saltwater fish comprising of some 15 different species across five genera. More than 96 countries have tuna fisheries, and their capacity is constantly growing. The World Tuna Day was officially proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) by adopting resolution 71/124 in December 2016.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Commonwealth Youth Games 2021 rescheduled to 2023: The Commonwealth Youth Games 2021 is postponed to 2023 because of clash of dates with Tokyo Olympics, which has been pushed by a year due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Tokyo Olympics were originally scheduled to be held from July 23 to August 8 2020 and have been rescheduled to the summer of 2021. The seventh Commonwealth Youth Games were scheduled to take place from August 1 to 7 2021 in Trinidad and Tobago.

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. RBI permits Visa, Mastercard and NPCI for contact-free payments for any amount: The Reserve Bank of India has permitted the country’s payment networks- Visa, Mastercard and NPCI to allow tap-and-go functionality on card payments for all purchases at retail stores and shopping centers. Earlier this facility was available for card payment up to amount Rs 2000. Now tap-and-go functionality will be available even for purchases made above Rs 2000. However, the transactions with are about Rs 2,000 shall be authenticated by PIN.

AWARDS AND HONOURS

1. American Academy of Arts and Sciences honours Professor Shobhana Narasimhan: Prof. Shobhana Narasimhan from the Theoretical Sciences Unit (TSU) at the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), has been elected as an International Honorary Member to the American Academy of Arts and Science (AAAS). She has been honoured for her distinguished work in the field of sciences. She has done remarkable work on the rational design of nanomaterials, determining the affect of lowering of dimensionality and reduction of size on the properties of material.

Note: AAAS honors such scholars and leaders who have distinguished themselves in the sciences, arts, humanities, and public life. Albert Einstein, Nelson Mandela and Charles Darwin are some of the previous International Honorary Members being honoured by the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

2. Sania Mirza Becomes First Indian To Get Nominated For Fed Cup Heart Award: Sania Mirza became the first Indian to be nominated for the Fed Cup Heart Award from the Asia/Oceania zone along with Indonesia's Priska Medelyn Nugroho. Sania had recently made a comeback to Fed Cup after four years. With her 18-month son Izhaan present in the stands, Sania had helped India qualify for the Play-offs for the first time. The winners of the Heart Awards will be determined by online voting by fans which will go live on May 1 and will go on until May 8.

OBITUARIES

1. South African anti-apartheid activist Denis Goldberg passes away: Veteran South African anti-apartheid activist Denis Goldberg (87 years), who was tried alongside Nelson Mandela passes away. He played a key role in South African liberation struggle. He was the only white member of the African National Congress’s military wing, Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK). Denis Goldberg was sentenced with imprisonment of 22 years for his involvement with the ANC’s fight against apartheid and was released in 1985.

Note: Apartheid was the racist system of oppression forced by the white minority government.