Daily GK Updates - 30th July, 2020

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Union Cabinet Approves New Education Policy (NEP) 2020; Renames HRD Ministry as Education Ministry: The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the new National Education Policy (NEP), to introduce several changes in the Indian education system, both at school to college level. This NEP 2020 will replace the 34-year-old NEP, which was framed in 1986 and revised only once in 1992. The Cabinet has also approved to rename the HRD Ministry as Education Ministry. The committee which suggested changes in the education system under the NEP was headed by former ISRO chief K Kasturirangan. National Education Policy 2020 is aligned to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and is based on the foundational pillars of Access, Equity, Quality, Affordability and Accountability.  Important Highlights of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020:

(1) There would be a single regulator for all higher education institutions, except for legal and medical colleges.

(2) MPhil would be discontinued.

(3) National Educational Technology Forum (NETF) would be created to ramp up digital learning.

(4) E-courses will be developed in eight regional languages initially and virtual labs will be developed.

(5) Top 100 foreign colleges will be allowed to set-up campuses in India.

(6) Home language/mother tongue/regional language will be the medium of instruction upto Class 5

(7) School curriculum will be reduced to core concepts and there will be integration of vocational education from class 6

(8) Class 10, 12 board exams will be based on knowledge application and focus will be on testing concepts

(9) National Assessment Centre- ‘PARAKH’ has been created to assess the students.

(10) Target to increase the Gross Enrolment Ratio in higher education including vocational education from 26.3 pc (2018) to 50 pc by 2035. At least 3.5 crore new seats will be added to higher education institutions.

 

2. Ministry of Home Affairs releases Unlock-3 guidelines: Ministry of Home Affairs has released the Unlock-3 guidelines which will be valid upto 31st August 2020. The new guidelines seeks to re-open more activities in areas outside the Containment zones and to extend the lockdown in containment zones upto 31st August 2020. As per the Unlock-3 guidelines, all activities would be permitted outside the containment zones, except the following:

(1) Schools, colleges, educational and coaching institutions will remain closed till 31st August 2020.

(2) Yoga institutes and gymnasiums would be allowed to function from 5th August 2020 as per the standard operating procedures (SOP) issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).

(3) Cinema Halls, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars, auditoriums, assembly halls and similar places will remain closed.

(4) International air travel of passengers, except as permitted by MHA.

(5) Metro rail; social/ political/ sports/ entertainment/ academic/ cultural/ religious functions as well as other large congregations.

 

3. Guwahati Municipal Corporation launches manhole cleaning robot 'BANDICOOT': Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) has inaugurated its first-ever manhole cleaning robot 'BANDICOOT' to put an end to the unfair practice of manual scavenging in Assam. It is a first of its kind robot developed indigenously by a start-up ‘Genrobotics’ under Make in India initiative and was funded by Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) under CSR initiative. After this, Guwahati becomes the third city to procure this technology after Coimbatore and Gurugram.

Note: Assam Chief Minister: Sarbananda Sonowal; Capital of Assam: Dispur; Governor of Assam: Jagdish Mukhi.

 

4. Tripartite MoU signed between CSIR, Unnat Bharat-IIT Delhi & Vijnana Bharat: A tripartite MoU has been signed between Unnat Bharat Abhiyan-Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (UBA-IITD), Vijnana Bharti (VIBHA) and CSIR to offer access to CSIR rural technologies for UBA. MoU will enhance cooperation between the three entities along with meeting the need of UBA.

UBA: Flagship initiative of MHRD to bring transformational change in rural development by leveraging knowledge institutions

VIBHA: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) linked science body.

 

5. PFC signs agreement with IIT- Kanpur for Smart Grid Technology: Power Finance Corporation (PFC) has signed an agreement with the Indian Institute of Technology- Kanpur for Training, Research, and Entrepreneurship Development in Smart Grid Technology. The agreement was on a virtual platform. The objective of the pact is to provide support to IIT-Kanpur in developing infrastructure for research and development on smart grid technology. Under this, PFC will provide financial assistance of Rs. 2,38,97,000 to IIT-K under its CSR initiative. IIT-K will also provide training on smart grid tech to 90 participants and provide fellowship to 9 selected candidates for ideas development under the agreement

Note: Chairman of IIT-K: K. Radhakrishnan; Director of IIT-K: Abhay Karandikar

Chairman and MD of PFC: Ravinder Singh Dhillon; Headquarters of PFC: New Delhi.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. ADB approves grant worth USD 3 million to India to combat COVID-19: Manila-based multilateral funding agency Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved USD 3 million (about Rs 22 crore) grant to India from its Asia Pacific Disaster Response Fund to further support the government’s emergency response to COVID-19 pandemic. The new grant will be used to procure thermal scanners and essential commodities to strengthen the India’s COVID-19 response. This support will enhance disease surveillance and help in early detection, contact tracing, and treatment. In April 2020, ADB approved USD 1.5 billion COVID-19 Active Response and Expenditure Support (CARES) programme to support India in its immediate pandemic response efforts.

Note: President of Asian Development Bank: Masatsugu Asakawa; Asian Development Bank Headquarters: Mandaluyong, Philippines; Asian Development Bank Founded: 19 December 1966.

 

2. Indian Activist Archana Soreng inducted in UN Chief’s New Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change: Archana Soreng, a climate activist from India, has been named by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to his new Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change. Soreng joins six other young climate leaders, from across the world, who have been named by Guterres to his new advisory group comprising young leaders, aged between 18 and 28 years, who will provide perspectives and solutions to tackle the worsening climate crisis. It is an effort by the United Nations to bring more young leaders into decision-making and planning processes, as the UN works to mobilise climate action as part of the COVID-19 recovery efforts. The initial seven members of the group includes:

Nisreen Elsaim – climate activist of Sudan,

Ernest Gibson – the co-coordinator for 350 Fiji, a regional youth-led climate change network

Vladislav Kaim – young economist of Moldova, committed to ensuring green and decent jobs for youth

Sophia Kianni – founder of international nonprofit Climate Cardinals, United States, founder and coordinator of Generation Climate Europe and spokesperson for Youth and Environment Europe

Nathan Metenier of France

Paloma Costa – lawyer and human rights defender of Brazil

Archana Soreng – climate activist, India

 

3. Mahdi Mohammed Gulaid appointed as interim Prime Minister of Somalia: Somalia President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo has appointed country’s Deputy Prime Minister Mahdi Mohamed Gulaid as the interim Prime Minister following the removal of Hassan Ali Khaire from the position due to vote of no confidence against him. His appointment is effective from 25 July 2020, until the nomination of a permanent Prime Minister.

 

4. World Day Against Trafficking in Persons: 30th July: The World Day Against Trafficking in Persons is observed every year on July 30. The day was designated by the UN General Assembly in 2013 to raise awareness of the situation of victims of human trafficking and for the promotion and protection of their rights. The 2020 theme for World Day Against Trafficking in Persons is “Committed to the Cause – Working on the Frontline to End Human Trafficking”.

Note: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Headquarters: Vienna, Austria; United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Founded: 1997.

 

5. International Day of Friendship: 30th July: International Day of Friendship is observed globally on 30th July. This day is celebrated to mark the importance of friends and friendship in life. The day also advocates the role that friendship plays in promoting peace in several cultures across the world.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Young Bangladesh Pace Bowler Kazi Anik handed two-year ban for doping violation: The Bangladesh national cricket board has handed over a two-year ban to young pacer Kazi Anik Islam for failing a dope test in 2018. Kazi tested positive for Methamphetamine, a prohibited substance, during a 2018 National Cricket League game. The two-year ban of the 21-year-old has began on February 8, 2019.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Paytm Money appoints Varun Sridhar as CEO: The investment & wealth management subsidiary of Paytm, Paytm Money has appointed Varun Sridhar as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company. He will replace former MD and CEO Pravin Jadhav who resigned from the startup due to differences with the management of Paytm. He will lead the launch and development of equity brokerage services and will look after the existing products like mutual funds, national pension system and gold services, which the company offers.

Note: Paytm founder: Vijay Shekhar Sharma; Paytm Headquarters: Noida, Uttar Pradesh; Paytm founded: 2010.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Jamie Vardy bags ‘Golden Boot’ while Ederson wins ‘Golden Glove’ of 2019-20 Premier League: In Football, Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy has won the 2019-20 Premier League Golden Boot award, which is presented to the leading goalscorer in the Premier League. The 33-year-old Vardy became the top scorer after finishing the season with 23 goals. He is the ninth English player as well as the oldest player to win the award and the first from Leicester City. Apart from this, Manchester City’s Brazilian keeper Ederson has won the Premier League’s Golden Glove award, which is given to the goalkeeper with the most clean sheets over the course of the season. He collected 16 clean sheet during the season.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Bollywood Actor Kumkum passes away in Mumbai: Veteran Bollywood Actor ‘Kumkum’ (86 years) passed away at her residence in Mumbai. Her real name was Zaibunnissa. She worked in films like Mother India, Kohinoor, Ek Sapera Ek Lootera, Naya Daur, Ujala, Raja Aur Runk, Lalkar, Aankhen, Geet, etc. She was also featured in first Bhojpuri film ‘Ganga Maiyya Tohe Piyari Chadhaibo’ in 1963. Some of the popular songs featuring Kumkum includes 'Yeh Hai Bombay Meri Jaan' and ‘Madhuban Mein Radhika Nache Re’.

 

2. Bollywood Director Parvez Khan passes away: Famous Bollywood Action Director Parvez Khan (55 years) passed away in Mumbai, Maharashtra. He had been working with the film industry since 1986 and worked for around 35 years in the industry. He is known for his films like Andhadhun, Badlapur, Bullett Raja, Fukrey, Ra.One, Johnny Gaddaar, Vishwaroopam, Vishwaroopam 2, Dev.D, Gangster, Sehar, Ab Tak Chhappan, The Legend Of Bhagat Singh, Soldier, and Mr And Mrs Khiladi.