Daily GK Updates - 12th June, 2020

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Indian Railways sets World Record to run first Double-stack Container Train in High Rise OHE electrified section of Western Railways: The Indian Railways has created a world record by commissioning the first high rise Over Head Equipment (OHE) and successfully running double-stack containers train, in the electrified sections of the Western Railway zone. The feat was achieved when the double-stack train commenced from Palanpur to Botad stations in Gujarat on 10 June 2020. In December 2019, Indian Railways conducted the trial run of the double-decker freight trains at the newly-built Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) in Rajasthan’s Sawai Madhopur district. This achievement has made Indian Railways as the first Railways in the world to run double-stack container train with high reach pantograph in high rise OHE territory. The high rise OHE has a contact wire height of 7.57 metre.

Note: Union Minister of Railways: Piyush Goyal.

2. Andhra Pradesh government launches ‘Jagananna Chedodu’ scheme: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has launched a welfare scheme titled ‘Jagananna Chedodu’ to provide one time financial help to tailors, Rajakas (dhobis) and Nayee Brahmins (barbers), who had lost their livelihood due to COVID-19 pandemic. Under the scheme, the state government will provide a one-time financial assistance of Rs. 10,000 each to the 2.47 lakh beneficiaries under 60 years of age. The scheme costs the exchequer Rs. 247.04 crore.

Note: Governor: Biswa Bhusan Harichandan.

3. PM addresses 95th Indian Chamber of Commerce Plenary Session: PM Narendra Modi addressed 95th annual plenary session of the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) via video conferencing. Self-Reliant India, Amendment to APMC Act, Organic farming, MSMEs, Research in the field of commerce were the focus area of the session. PM also urged companies to manufacture products that are ‘Made in India’ but are ‘Made for the World’. Indian Chamber of Commerce was founded in1925

Note: President ICC: Mayank Jalan; Headquarters: Kolkata.

4. Himachal Pradesh launches Panchvati Yojana for senior citizens: The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Jai Ram Thakur has launched a scheme named ‘Panchvati Yojna’ for senior citizens of rural areas of the State. Under the scheme, parks and gardens would be developed in every Development block with necessary facilities under MNREGA Scheme of Rural Development Department. The main objective of the scheme is to enhance the life expectancy of the senior citizens, by providing them an opportunity to spend their leisure time in entertainment and strolling in these parks and gardens, keeping in view the health requirements. The project will be jointly coordinated by MGNREGA, Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen), and 14th Finance Commission. During the current financial year 2020-21, as many as 100 such parks is proposed to be developed in different parts of the State.

Note: Governor: Bandaru Dattatraya.

5. Used mask disposal device “BIN-19” & “UV SPOT” launched in Kerala: Used mask disposal device “BIN-19” and “UV SPOT” has been launched in Kerala by VST Mobility Solutions as part of efforts to combat the COVID-19. These automated products would also help in preventing the environmental damages and will also solve the problem of disposal of used masks. “BIN-19” is a smart bin developed for the collection and disinfection of Used Face-Mask and is based on Internet of Things (IoT). The disinfecting device will be very handy in offices, homes, and other public places. UV SPOT is a UV light-based multipurpose disinfector having ultraviolet disinfection lamps and is capable of disinfecting a broad range of microorganisms.

Note: CEO of VST Mobility Solutions: Alvin George.

6. ‘India Rankings 2020’ for Higher Educational Institutions released: The Union Minister of Human Resource Development, Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’, virtually released ‘India NIRF Rankings 2020’ of Institutions of Higher Education in New Delhi. It is the fifth consecutive edition of India Rankings of the institutions of higher education in India. The 2020 ranking has been released in 10 categories subject domains. The ranking framework evaluates institutions based on five broad groups of parameters: which are: Teaching, Learning and Resources (TLR), Research and Professional Practice (RP), Graduation Outcomes (GO), Outreach and Inclusivity (OI) and Perception (PR). List of top Institutes in each category

Overall – Indian Institute of Technology Madras

University – Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru

Engineering – Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Management – Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad

Colleges – Miranda House, Delhi

Pharmacy – Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi

Medical – All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi

Architecture – Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur

Law – National Law School of India University, Bengaluru

Dental – Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, Delhi

7. EPFO allows digital life certificates submission for pensioners: Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) has allowed pensioners of Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS) to submit life certificates closer to home at any of the 3.65 lakh common service centres (CVC) amid COVID-19. EPFO with CVC will provide the facility to submit Digital Jeevan Pramaan at any time of the year as per the convenience. They can also submit certificates through 135 regional offices and 117 district offices of the EPFO as well as banks.

8. DST constitutes joint Science Communication Forum: The Department of Science & Technology (DST) has constituted a joint Science Communication Forum to promote common policy & best practices. The aim of the forum is to facilitate interaction, cooperation, and coordination amongst various public sector science communication institutions and agencies. . It would be served by a Secretariat at the National Council for Science & Technology Communication (NCSTC), Department of Science & Technology. It will help the adoption of a common policy and best practices at a wider scale, ultimately aiming towards a National Science Communication framework.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Bangladesh launches online plasma exchange network ‘Shohojodha’ for COVID-19 treatment: The Government of Bangladesh has launched an initiative named ‘Shohojodha’, which is an online network to facilitate plasma exchange between recovered patients of COVID 19 and those undergoing treatment for Corona infection in the country. The initiative has been launched by the ICT division of the government of Bangladesh in collaboration with Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), a2i innovation lab and eGeneration to facilitate collection and distribution of plasma from patients who have recovered from Coronavirus.

Note: Prime Minister of Bangladesh: Sheikh Hasina; Capital: Dhaka; Currency: Taka.

2. World Day against Child Labour: 12th June: The World Day against Child Labour is held every year on June 12 to raise awareness and activism to prevent child labour. The theme for 2020 is “COVID-19 – Protect children from child labour now, more than ever”. It is an International Labour Organization (ILO)-sanctioned holiday first launched in 2002, and is intended to foster the worldwide movement against child labour in any of its forms. This year, the World Day will be conducted as a virtual campaign and is being organized jointly with the Global March Against Child Labour and the International Partnership for Cooperation on Child Labour in Agriculture (IPCCLA).

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

3. US State Dept releases International Religious Freedom Report: US State Department has launched annual International Religious Freedom (IRF) Report 2019. It describes the status of religious freedom in every country. The report describes change in the J&K status, CAA and NRC in India. It also makes detail description of mob lynching’s, cow vigilantism and laws depicting lawmaker’s failure to combat the situation. The report outlines the U.S. engagement and restrictions on India to be imposed by Trump administration.

4. Nature Index 2020 placed India at 12th rank in science research output: Nature Index table 2020 has been released placing India at 12th rank globally in science research output. USA secured the first position followed by China, Germany, United Kingdom and Japan. In the tops institutions list, CSIR bagged 160th rank, followed by IISc (184th). Nature Index is a database of research articles published in an independently selected group of 82 high-quality science journals. It is compiled by Springer Nature with headquarter at London.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Former Ukraine’s World Champion boxer Oleksandr Gvozdyk announces retirement: Former WBC light heavyweight champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk has announced his retirement from boxing. During his professional career, Gvozdyk had 17 fights: 16 wins in a row before losing the WBC title to Artur Beterbiev in October last year. Gvozdyk won the WBC world champion title in December 2018. He represented Ukraine in the light heavyweight category at the 2012 Olympics and made his country proud by winning a bronze medal.

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. Empays partners Mastercard to enable contactless ATM withdrawals in India: Empays Payment Systems India, a cloud-based payment solutions provider, has joined hands with Mastercard to launch contactless ATM solution in India, in order to mitigate the spread of the deadly coronavirus. Under the partnership, Mastercard will help Empays to launch ‘Cardless ATM powered by Mastercard®’. Empays will be upgrade the basic technology behind the IMT Payment System to incorporate the requirements of Mastercard Cardless ATM enabling a true EMV-capable cash withdrawal transaction. The initiative will help users to digitally locate the nearest enabled ATM and initiate a withdrawal by following these 4 simple steps: (1) Open banking app; (2) Scan QR on ATM; (3) Authenticate withdrawal amount on banking app; (4) Pick-up cash from ATM.

Through this initiative users can withdraw money without the need to insert the physical debit/credit card into the ATM, and thereby minimising any unnecessary contact, making it safe, quick and easy for people to access cash. After USA, India is the only other country to make such contactless ATM facility available to users.

Note: Mastercard Headquarters: New York, U.S; Mastercard President and CEO: Ajaypal Singh Banga.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

1. OECD Projects India’s GDP at -7.3% for FY21 if coronavirus strikes again: The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), in its OECD Economic Outlook, has projected India’s economy to contract 7.3 percent in the current fiscal year 2020-21 if there is a second wave of the coronavirus (Covid-19) later this year. However, OECD expects the economy to contract 3.7 percent during the year 2020 if there is no second wave. Further, for the fiscal year 2021-22, GDP is estimated at 8.1 percent in case of a second wave and at 7.9 percent in other case, i.e no second wave.

                                    

AWARDS AND HONOURS

1. Shobha Sekhar conferred with “Medal of the Order of Australia”: Indian Musician & founder of Kalakruthi music organisation in Australia, Shobha Sekhar will be conferred the “Medal of the Order of Australia” for her service to the community and the country. The medal of the order of Australia is awarded to the individuals contributing to their community or to Australia globally or domestically. She is the founder of Kalakruthi, music organisation in Australia.

Note: Prime Minister of Australia: Scott Morrison; Currency of Australia: Australian dollar; Capital of Australia: Canberra.

DEFENCE

1. Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle Complex inaugurated at Vishakhapatnam: Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) Complex was inaugurated at Eastern Naval Command (ENC) in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. It has been designed to accommodate the newly inducted submarine rescue system and store the DSRV assets in the rescue-ready state. The Indian Navy has inducted two such systems which will provide rescue cover to submarines on the east and west coast of India. It also has Remote Operations Vehicle, Side Scan Sonar, Diver Decompression Chambers, and associated equipment. The system can be mobilized by air or road to facilitate submarine rescue operations even at distant locations.

Note: Chief of Naval Staff: Admiral Karambir Singh.

OBITUARIES

1. European Cup winner Tony Dunne passes away:  Manchester United’s European Cup-winning defender Tony Dunne passed away. During his 13 year stint with the club, he made 535 appearances for the Manchester United club and played an instrumental role in club’s European Cup triumph in 1968. The Republic of Ireland capped Tony Dunne for 33 times. He ended his football career in 1979 while palying for the American club Detroit Express.

2. Former Planning Commission member Dr Vaidyanathan passes away: Dr A Vaidyanathan, a former member of the Planning Commission, has passed away. He served as a member of the perspective planning division of the Government of India’s Planning Commission from 1962 to 1972. Apart from this, Dr Vaidyanathan also served as professor at the Madras Institute of Development Studies and Centre for Development Studies in Trivandrum. He also chaired the Government of India Task Force on Revival of Cooperative Credit Institutions in 2004 and was a member of the K.N. Raj Committee on Taxation of Agricultural Income (1969-70).