Daily GK Updates – 15th July, 2020

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Amit Shah launches CAPF’s nationwide tree plantation drive: Union Home Minister, Amit Shah has rolled out the Central Armed Police Force’s (CAPFs) nationwide tree plantation drive by planting a sapling of the peepal tree at the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) campus in Gurugram. Under this drive, saplings were planted by the jawans of Central Armed Police Forces in Chhattisgarh. The personnel of BSF, CRPF, ITBP and CISF – deployed in Chhattisgarh for Anti-Naxal operations, planted saplings in their respective campuses as well as in their places of deployment.

2. Madhya Pradesh tops in implementing PM Svanidhi scheme:  Madhya Pradesh has topped among the other states in the implementation of PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi). The scheme is presently benefiting the beneficiaries of 378 urban bodies of the state. Till now 8,70,330 street vendors have registered under the scheme, out of which 1,76,000 street vendors have been issued the identity cards and vending certificates. Apart from this, 15,500 cases have been approved in the state along with interest free loan of around 15 crore 50 lakh.

Note: Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh: Shivraj Singh Chouhan; Governor: Anandiben Patel.

3. UNICEF India Partners with FICCI to launch #Reimagine Campaign: The UNICEF INDIA has entered into partnership with the Socio Economic Development Foundation (SEDF) of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), to co-develop #Reimagine Campaign. The #Reimagine Campaign of UNICEF aims to support the most vulnerable populations and children during the COVID-19 response and its after-math in India. The campaign will also help in avoiding the potential long-term damage to business operations as well as employment pipeline. The FICCI SEDF will leverage its resources like cash and core assets to mobilize funds that can be utilized to help generate support for the most vulnerable population affected due to COVID disruption.

Note: President of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry: Sangita Reddy.

4. Indian Railways launches POST COVID COACH to ensure safer journey: The Indian Railways has launched a new state-of-the-art, ‘Post Covid Coach’ in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 virus infection. The Indian Railways’ production unit, Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala, has developed this new Post Covid Coach. It has handsfree amenities like foot operated water tap and soap dispenser, copper-coated handrails and latches and titanium di-oxide coating for Covid-free passenger journey. Plasma air equipment in AC duct installed will sterilize the air and surfaces using ionised air.

Note: Railway Minister: Piyush Goyal

5. Union Minister inaugurates new economic corridor projects in Haryana: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has inaugurated new economic corridors highway projects in Haryana through web based program presided over by CM Manohar Lal. It will have 11 highway projects in Haryana with a total outlay of Rs 20,000 crore. Giving information about the projects, Chairman, National Highways Authority of India Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu said that 3 projects worth over 2,240 crore rupees were inaugurated and foundation stones for 8 projects worth over 17,000 crore rupees were laid. The move will cut down travel time, provide connectivity to neighbouring states and will boost industrialisation in the state reviving economy.

6. VNIR Biotech launches fluorescence probes & PCR mix for RT-PCR detection of COVID-19: Bengaluru based, VNIR Biotechnologies, a spinoff by Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) has launched indigenous fluorescence probes and Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) mix for RT-PCR detection of COVID-19. The molecular probes developed by VNIR Biotechnologies will be used in COVID-19 test kits in the country. PCR based test kit has three critical components, the oligos, enzymes and molecular probes. The molecular probes used in COVID 19 tests, are currently, only imported. VNIR has innovated synthesis protocols for molecular probes, which will be useful for PCR based COVID-19 testing. The company is in the process of filing for the protection of its process innovation. VNIR’s Research and Development effort in line with the Make-In-India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat missions of the Government of India are meant to contribute to self-reliance in COVID-19 testing.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Vidhu Nair appointed as Ambassador of India to Turkmenistan: Government of India has appointed Dr. Vidhu P. Nair as the next Ambassador of India to Turkmenistan. Nair is presently serving as the Director in the Ministry of External Affairs. He is a Foreign Service Officer of 2002 batch.

Note: Capital of Turkmenistan: Ashgabat; Currency: Turkmenistan Manat.

2.  Tandon appointed India’s next Ambassador to Afghanistan: Indian Foreign Service officer, Rudrendra Tandon has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Afghanistan. Tandon is presently serving as Indian envoy to ASEAN at Jakarta.

Note: Afghanistan capital; Kabul; Currency: Afghan afghani; President of Afghanistan: Ashraf Ghani.

3. Vikram Doraiswami appointed India’s next Ambassador to Bangladesh: Indian Foreign Service officer, Vikram Doraiswami has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Bangladesh. Doraiswami is currently serving as additional secretary in-charge of international organisations and summits at the headquarters of the external affairs ministry in Delhi. Doraiswami will succeed Riva Ganguly Das in Dhaka.

4. India hands over outdoor fitness equipment to Maldives: India has handed over outdoor fitness equipment for 61 islands across the Maldives under a cash grant of 8 million US dollars. The installation of equipment would involve the participation of all 61 island councils and further strengthen the idea of decentralization and a cherished ideal for President Ibrahim Solih’s government. The project is expected to contribute to the Maldivian government’s ‘healthy lifestyles’ policy through easier access to fitness equipment.

Note: President of the Maldives: Ibrahim Mohamed Solih; Capital of Maldives: Male; Currency of the Maldives: Maldivian Rufiyaa.

5. Andrzej Duda re-elected as President of Poland: Poland’s incumbent President Andrzej Duda has been re-elected in the 2020 presidential election for another five year term. He won the elections after securing 51.21% of the votes defeating opposition candidate, liberal Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski who got 48.79% votes. It is slimmest presidential election victory of Poland since the end of communism in 1989. He became the President of Poland in 2015 for the first time defeating Bronislaw Komorowski

Note: Poland Capital: Warsaw; Currency: Polish złoty

6. World Youth Skills Day: 15th July: The World Youth Skills Day (WYSD) is observed every year on July 15 as a day to recognize the strategic importance of equipping young people with skills for employment, decent work and entrepreneurship, and to highlight the crucial role of skilled youth in addressing current and future global challenges. The United Nations General Assembly declared 15 July as World Youth Skills Day in November 2014. Due to the current global crises, the celebration of WYSD will be held virtually on the theme “Skills for a Resilient Youth”

Note: Secretary-General of United Nations: António Guterres.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Former Socceroos captain Mile Jedinak retires from sport: Former Socceroos captain Mile Jedinak has announced his retirement from the sport. Socceroos is the official nickname of the Australia national soccer team that represents Australia in international men’s soccer. Jedinak made his national team debut in 2008 and made 79 appearances for Australia. He also won the 2015 Asian Cup title for the team. He has appeared for his national side in three World Cups.

2. West Indies win 1st test match against England after corona outbreak: West Indies won 1st international cricket after the sport's return from coronavirus outbreak beating England in the Test match at an empty Ageas Bowl Stadium by 4 wickets. Jermaine Blackwood scored highest run. West Indies chased down the victory target of 200-run with four wickets in hand, in their second innings and scored 318 runs in their first innings. England had scored 204 and 313 all out in 1st and 2nd innings respectively. The 2nd test will start in Manchester.

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. NABARD organised ‘Digital Choupal’ to mark its 39th foundation day: National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) organised its first ‘Digital Choupal’ to mark its 39th foundation day. “Digital Choupal” was conducted in the form of a video conference which was attended by participants of different projects initiated by NABARD, to share their experiences about the projects they are involved in. During the ‘Digital Choupal’ session, NABARD also announced Rs 5,000 crore of refinance scheme for banks and financial institutions. With this refinance scheme, the development finance institution aims to offer finance to the beneficiaries of its 2,150 watershed development projects. NABARD also assigned another Rs 5,000 crore to transform Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) into multi service centres. This concessional line of assistance will be available for a period of three years from 2020-21 to 2022-23.

Note: Chairman of National Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development: G R Chintala.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

1. Reliance Industries becomes first Indian company to hit Rs. 12 lakh crore market cap: Mukesh Ambani led Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) has become the first Indian firm to hit a market capitalisation mark of Rs. 12 lakh crore. The shares price of the company surged to a record high of Rs. 1,947 on 13 July 2020, after which the Market cap of the firm rose to Rs 12.32 lakh crore. The increase in Reliance Industries m-cap comes after it secured deal with Qualcomm Ventures to invest in Jio Platforms for a 0.15 percent equity stake. This is the 13th deal secured by Jio Platforms in a span of 12 weeks, bringing the total funds raised by the company to Rs 1.18 lakh crore.

AWARDS AND HONOURS

1. Gurbux Singh and Palash Nandy to be conferred with Mohun Bagan Ratna Award 2020: Hockey legend Gurbux Singh and former first-class cricketer Palash Nandy has been named for the Mohun Bagan Ratna Award 2020 by the football club Mohun Bagan’s executive committee. The award is presented every year by Mohun Bagan on the occasion of its foundation day on 29 July. However, due to coronavirus pandemic, the function will not be held this year. July 29 was the date of Bagan’s IFA Shield triumph in 1911 when they defeated East Yorkshire Regiment 2-1. The awards will be given personally to all the winners. List of all the awardees:

Mohun Bagan Ratna– club’s highest honor: (1) Shri Gurbux Singh (Hockey); (2) Shri Palash Nandi (Cricket)

Lifetime Achievement: (1) Shri Ashok Kumar (Hockey); (2) Shri Pranab Ganguly (Football); (3) Shri Monoranjan Porel (Athletics)

Best Football Player of the season 2019-20 (Senior): Joseba Beitia (Spain)

Best Youth Player: Sajal Bag (U18 team)

2. Ved Parkash Dudeja conferred with ‘Infra Business Leader of the Year’: Rail Infra and Mobility Business Digital Awards (RIMBDA) has awarded Ved Parkash Dudeja with the coveted ‘Infra Business Leader of the Year’ award for 2020. He is the vice chairman of Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA). He has been awarded for his contribution towards the infrastructure development. Under his leadership, RLDA has launched various commercial projects, multifunctional complex, colony redevelopment and station redevelopment projects. RLDA is a statutory body under Ministry of Railways responsible for the development of vacant railway land for commercial use to generate revenue.

OBITUARIES

1. Dutch Football legend Wim Suurbier passes away: Dutch Football legend Wim Suurbier passed away. He was a key member of the 1970s squad of Netherlands who played in two World Cup finals. Suurbier also achieved the rare feat of playing in consecutive FIFA World Cup Finals in year 1974 and 1978 that his country lost to West Germany and Argentina. He ended his national team career spanning 12 years with 60 caps. Suurbier also played for club Ajax Amsterdam. He played 509 matches for the club and won three European championships from 1964 to 1977. He was described as the 'first modern back of the Netherlands' and ‘king of Dutch football humour’.

2. Hawkins Cookers Chairman Brahm Vasudeva passes away: Hawkins Cookers Chairman, Brahm Vasudeva passed away. He was appointed as Vice Chairman and Managing Director on the board of the company in 1968 and became the Wholetime Chairman and Managing Director in 1984. He was the Non-Executive Chairman and advisor to the company since 2006.