Daily GK Updates - 28th July, 2020

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. PM Modi Launches High-Throughput COVID-19 Testing Centres at ICMR Labs in Noida, Mumbai, Kolkata: Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched three high throughput coronavirus testing facilities via video conferencing on 27 July 2020 at the National Institutes of Indian Council of Medical Research at Kolkata, Mumbai and Noida. These three high-throughput testing facilities have been set up strategically at ICMR-National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research, Noida; ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Mumbai; and ICMR-National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases, Kolkata. These hi-tech testing facilities will have testing capacity of almost 10,000 per day. These labs will not be limited to testing for COVID, but in future, will also be able to test for Hepatitis B and C, HIV, Dengue and several other diseases. These labs will also reduce turn-around-time and exposure of lab personnel to infectious materials.

 

2. IMD launches first weather app ‘Mausam’ for general public: The Ministry of Earth Sciences has launched a Mobile app ‘Mausam’ to provide all current weather information and forecasts, among other warnings. The mobile application, Mausam, has been designed and developed jointly by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderbad and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune. Mausam is the first app launched by the 145-year-old India Meteorological Department (IMD) that is meant for general public to communicate weather forecasts in a simple manner with no technical jargon. It has 5 features: Current Weather, Nowcast (warning of coming weather condition), City Forecast, Warnings and Radar products. Harsh Vardhan also launched the Knowledge Resource Centre Network (KRCNet), which will act as a one-point stop for research, publications and e-resources of all the institutions that function under the MoES. This app is launched on the occasion of the 14th foundation day of Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).

Note: IMD already has another app, Meghdoot, meant only for farmers and those involved in agriculture.

 

3. Kashmir Saffron Gets GI Certification: Union Govt has issued GI registration certificate for Saffron grown in Kashmir Valley putting it on the world map with authentication. With this, Kashmir Saffron will gain more prominence in the export market helping the farmers in getting better remunerative price. It will also stop prevalent adulteration fetching much better prices for authenticated saffron. GI certification depicts specific geographical origin and certifies unique qualities enabling right to use sign

 

4. DRDO launches ‘Dare to Dream 2.0’ contest: An innovation contest ‘Dare to Dream 2.0’ has been launched by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The contest was launched on the 5th death anniversary of former President and noted scientist Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. ‘Dare to Dream 2.0’ has been launched as an open challenge to promote the innovators and startups of the country. The contest has been launched for emerging technologies to encourage the individuals & startups for innovation in defence and aerospace technologies in the country. After due evaluation, an expert committee will decide the winners of the contest. The winners would be awarded with prize money of up to Rs 10 lakh for startup and Rs five lakh to individual category.

Note: Chairman of Defence Research and Development Organisation: G Satheesh Reddy.

 

5. Bureau of Indian Standard’s Mobile App ‘BIS-Care’ launched: ‘BIS-Care’, a mobile app of the Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) has been launched by the Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution Shri Ram Vilas Paswan. The minister also launched three portals i.e. the Standardization, Conformity Assessment and Training Portals of e-BIS for consumers. The BIS Care app will help the consumers in checking the authenticity of the ISI-marked and hallmarked products as well as lodging complaints.

Note: Director General of Bureau of Indian Standard: Pramod Kumar Tiwari.

 

6. Vice Admiral MA Hampiholi assumes Charge as commandant of INA: Vice Admiral MA Hampiholi, AVSM, NM has assumed charge as the Commandant, Indian Naval Academy (INA). He has replaced the Vice Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, AVSM, NM who served as the Commandant, Indian Naval Academy (INA) from 12 June 2019 to 27 July 2020. Vice Admiral MA Hampiholi is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakvasala, Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, the erstwhile College of Naval warfare, Karanja and the prestigious National Defence College, New Delhi. He is a recipient of the Nao Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty) and the Ati Vishist Seva Medal.

Note: Chief of Naval Staff: Admiral Karambir Singh.

 

7. Rajesh Bhushan appointed as new Health Secretary: Rajesh Bhushan, IAS officer of 1987 Batch, Bihar Cadre has been appointed as the new Health Secretary in the Union Health Ministry. In another major reshuffle Ajay Tirkey has been appointed as Secretary, Department of Land Resources in the Ministry of Rural Development; Ram Mohan Mishra will take over as Secretary in the Ministry of Women and Child Development; Sushil Kumar has been appointed as Secretary, National Commission for Scheduled Castes in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment; Anil Kumar Jain has been given additional charge as Secretary, Mines along with his post of Secretary in the Coal Ministry.

 

8. Former RBI Deputy Governor pens book ‘Quest for Restoring Financial Stability in India’: The former Deputy Governor of Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Viral Acharya has come up with a book titled “Quest for Restoring Financial Stability in India”, which is a collection of his comments, speeches, and research as a member of the RBI’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC). Through this book, Dr Acharya shares a feasible plan to address the recapitalization needs of public sector banks, offering solutions on how to improve credit allocation by credit intermediaries and establish viable and efficient capital markets. The book has been published by SAGE Publications India Pvt Ltd

 

9. “The India Way: Strategies for an Uncertain World” by S Jaishankar to be released in September 2020: The Indian diplomat and current Minister of External Affairs in the Government of India, S Jaishankar, has written a book titled “The India Way: Strategies for an Uncertain World”. The book has been published by the HarperCollins India publications and is scheduled to be released on 07 September 2020. In this book Mr S Jaishankar analyses the various challenges faced by India on the path to becoming a leading power, and also spells out possible policy responses. Jaishankar writes in the book that India has had to struggle mightily to gain influence in a domain that could have come more easily earlier as its foreign policy carries “three major burdens” from its past.

 

10. ILBS organises “2nd Empathy e-Conclave” with AAI: Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) has organised “2nd Empathy e-Conclave” in collaboration with Airport Authority of India (AAI). The conclave was held on the occasion of “World Hepatitis Day”. The theme of 2nd Empathy e-Conclave is “Keep your Liver Safe in COVID times”. During the conclave, ILBS highlighted the importance of healthy liver as well as the features of “Empowering People Against Hepatitis: The Empathy Campaign” which has undertaken several innovative initiatives across India to reach out to diverse populations. Event featured the participation of Speaker of Lok Sabha, Om Birla; Union Minister of Law and Justice, Ravi Shankar Prasad; and Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Harsh Vardhan.

Note: Chairman of Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences: Vijay Kumar Dev.

Chairman of Airport Authority of India: Arvind Singh.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India hands over 10 broad-gauge railway locos to Bangladesh: India has handed over 10 broad-gauge railway locomotives to Bangladesh. The locomotives were flagged off from the Gede station of the Easter Railway in West Bengal’s Nadia district while the receiving station will be of Darshana on the other side. With this, India aims to offer Bangladesh mobility solutions for both intra-country and inter-country movement. These locomotives will help in managing the increasing volume of passenger and freight train operations in Bangladesh.

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

Union Minister of Railways: Piyush Goyal.

 

2. Hichem Mechichi becomes new Prime Minister of Tunisia:  Tunisia’s interior minister, Hichem Mechichi has been appointed as the new Prime Minister of the country. He succeeded Elyes Fakhfakh, who resigned over allegations of a conflict of interest. He has a month to form a government. As well as being the interior minister in the outgoing government, Mechichi has been a counsellor to President Saied, handling legal matters. He has previously been chief of staff at the Ministry of Transport and also served in the Ministry of Social Affairs.

Note: President of Tunisia: Kais Saied; Capital of Tunisia: Tunis; Currency of Tunisia: Tunisian Dinar.

 

3. Russia successfully holds flight test of 3D-printed aircraft engine: Russia has for the first time conducted a successful flight test of MGTD-20, a 3D-printed aircraft engine, and its production is scheduled for 2021-2022. The flight tests were held at Kazanbash aviation center in Tatarstan. With the new technology, the production time of the main engine elements has been reduced by 20 times and the cost of their production has been reduced by more than two times.

 

4. International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem: 26th July: The International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem (or World Mangrove Day) is celebrated annually on 26 July to raise awareness of the importance of mangrove ecosystems as “a unique, special and vulnerable ecosystem” and to promote solutions for their sustainable management, conservation and uses. The day was adopted by the General Conference of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2015. It was on this day in 1998, that a Greenpeace activist Hayhow Daniel Nanoto, died of a heart attack during a massive protest to re-establish the mangrove wetlands in Muisne, Ecuador.

 

5. World Hepatitis Day: 28th July: World Health Organization is observed on 28th July every year as “World Hepatitis Day”. This day is celebrated to enhance awareness of viral hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver that causes a range of health problems, including liver cancer. This year’s theme is “Hepatitis-free future,” with a strong focus on preventing hepatitis B among mothers and newborns. The date of 28 July was chosen because it is the birthday of Nobel-prize winning scientist Dr Baruch Blumberg, who discovered the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and developed a diagnostic test and vaccine for the virus. There are five main strains of the hepatitis virus – A, B, C, D and E. Together, hepatitis B and C are the most common cause of deaths, with 1.3 million lives lost each year.

Note: WHO Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland; Director general: Tedros Adhanom.

 

6. World Nature Conservation Day: 28th July: World Nature Conservation Day is observed on 28th July every year. World Conservation Day is celebrated internationally to increase awareness about the best practices to protect our natural resources. The day recognizes that the healthy environment is the foundation for a stable and healthy society. The day encourages people to save and protect natural resources that are depleting due to over-exploitation.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. ISL Becomes First League From South Asia to be Inducted in World Leagues Forum: The Indian Super League (ISL) was inducted into the World Leagues Forum (WLF), becoming the first league from South Asia and seventh in Asia to join the association of professional football leagues which includes the likes of the Premier League, La Liga and Bundesliga, amongst others. This recognition from WLF is a testimony to Indian football’s rise on the global stage, and the role that ISL is playing in it.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Bharti AXA General Insurance launches ‘Bohot Zaroori Hai’ campaign for farmers in Maharashtra and Karnataka: Bharti AXA General Insurance has launched a crop insurance campaign titled ‘Bohot Zaroori Hai’ for farmers in Maharashtra and Karnataka to encourage them about their yield protection and financial security. Under the campaign, the Bharti AXA General Insurance, will insure the farmers in Maharashtra and Karnataka for a period of three years under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna (PMFBY). Bharti AXA General Insurance has received Rs 800 crore worth crop insurance mandate from the governments of Maharashtra and Karnataka for 3 years. The company will insure farmers under PMFBY in six districts of Maharashtra and three districts of Karnataka. It includes Ahmednagar, Nashik, Chandrapur, Solapur, Jalgaon and Satara in Maharashtra and Dharwad, Mysuru and Kodagu in Karnataka. Apart from this, under ‘Bohot Zaroori Hai’ , the farming communities will be made aware about the relevance and significance of crop insurance that mitigates the rural distress caused by crop failure or damage due to factors like unseasonal rains, monsoon failure, storms, floods, pests and diseases.

 

2. FM reviewed ‘SWAMIH’ to boost investment in Real Estate Sector: Finance Ministry reviewed Special Window for Affordable and Mid Income Housing (SWAMIH) performance to boost investment in Real Estate Sector. SWAMIH Investment Fund has been established for construction of stalled, RERA-registered affordable and mid-income category housing projects. Under this, Rs 8767 crore has been approved for 81 projects for completing 60,000 homes. Fund is managed by SBICAP Venture and Sponsored by DEA, Finance Ministry.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. SS Motivation Founder & CEO Sunil ydv SS Honored with Karamveer Chakra Award of United Nations and ICONGO: Sunil ydv SS, founder & CEO Of SS Motivation, which is the most Subscribed Motivational Channel on Telegram, has  been honoured with “Karamveer Chakra Award” instituted by United Nations and International Confederation of NGO (iCONGO). He received the award for his relentless contribution to society through his Telegram channel “SS Motivation.” The Karmaveer Chakra Award is the global civilian honours given to the people across the globe for relentless courage, initiating change, and walking through the less-travelled life paths. The award is a tribute to A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, the 11th President of India.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Two-Time Oscar Winner Olivia de Havilland passes away:  Two-Time Oscar Winner, Olivia de Havilland passed away at the age of 104. She was born on 1st July 1916, in Tokyo, Japan.  The actress, who starred in blockbusters like Captain Blood (1935), The adventures of Robin Hood (1938), Gone with the Wind (1939), The Snakepit, The Heiress. She unchained the Hollywoods contract system which was later called as “De Havilland Law”. On March 13, 1946, Olivia won an Oscar award for the movie ‘To Each His Own’ under the category Best supporting actress. Again in the year 1949, she won the second Oscar award for the movie “The Heiress’. In the year 2008, Olivia was honoured with, National Medal of Arts and France’s Legion of Honor (Légion d’honneur) award after two years.

 

2. American Actor John Saxon passed away: The American actor, John Saxon passed away. He was born on 5th August 1936 as Carmine Orrico in Brooklyn, New York, United States of America. He was debuted in 1954 and starred in detective and horror shows like “A Nightmare on Elm Street”. Saxon starred in around 200 movies and TV shows. He was best known for his role in “Enter the Dragon” (1973) starring Bruce Lee. He won the Golden Globe Award for the new star of the year in 1958 for the movie “This Happy Feeling”