Daily GK Updates - 1st Sept, 2020

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. PM Narendra Modi announced September to be observed as “Nutrition month”: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced to celebrate September 2020 as “Poshan Maah” or “Nutrition Month” during the monthly radio broadcast programme “Mann ki Baat”. He stated that to increase the awareness of nutrition among the children, the schools must introduce Nutrition Monitor and Nutrition Cards. During the Nutrition Month, Food and Nutrition Quiz and meme competition will be organised by the MyGov portal. The month will be celebrated across India to educate everyone on the importance of optimum nutrition. The nutrition month was celebrated earlier in September 2018 and 2019. New Initiative during “Nutrition Month”: Agriculture Fund of India with information about the crops of each district and their nutrition value are being prepared. A unique nutrition park has been created at the Statue of Unity, where people can witness the nutrition-related education along with other fun activities.

 

2. Dept. of Fertilizers observes Swachhta Pakhwada from 1-15 September 2020: Union Department of Fertilizers is observing Swachhta Pakhwada from 1st to 15th September 2020. All Public Sector Units as well as other Organizations under the Department are also participating in the Swachhta Abhiyan. Swachhta Pakhwada has become more relevant in year 2020 in view of the outbreak of COVID 19 pandemic. The initiative was launched to bring a fortnight of intense focus on the issues as well as practices of Swachhata by engaging GOI Ministries/Departments in their jurisdictions. The Ministries observing Swachhata Pakhwada are monitored closely with the help of online monitoring system of Swachhata Samiksha.

Note: Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers: DV Sadananda Gowda.

 

3. Rajiv Kumar takes charge as new Election Commissioner of India: Rajiv Kumar has taken the charge as the new Election Commissioner (EC) of India. He has joined the Election Commission of India with Chief Election Commissioner Shri Sunil Arora and Election Commissioner Shri Sushil Chandra. Rajiv Kumar is a 1984 batch Indian Administrative Service Officer, with more than 36 years of Government of India service. He has a very rich work experience across various sectors namely Social Sector, Environment & Forests, Human Resources, Finance and Banking Sector. He retired in February 2020 as Finance Secretary, Government of India and later on served as the Chairman of Public Enterprises Selection Board from April 2020 to 31st August 2020.

Note: Chief Election Commissioner of India: Sunil Arora

 

4. CSIR-CMERI develops World’s Largest Solar Tree: World’s Largest Solar Tree has been developed by the CSIR-CMERI. The solar tree has been installed at the Residential Colony of CSIR-CMERI in Durgapur, West Bengal. The solar tree has the annual capacity to generate 12,000-14,000 units of Clean and Green Power while its installed capacity is above 11.5 kWp. The Solar Tree has been designed in such a way that it ensures maximum exposure of each Solar PV Panel to Sunlight. A single solar tree comprises of 35 Solar PV Panels each having a capacity of 330 wp each. The energy generation data of the tree can be monitored either real-time or on daily basis. This tree will also ensure minimum Shadow Area which will make it available for usage in Agricultural activities like High Capacity Pumps, e-Tractors and e-Power Tillers.

 

5. “MEDBOT” medical trolley developed by Indian Railways: Indian Railways has developed a remote-controlled medical trolley named ‘MEDBOT’ to help deliver food and medicines to COVID-19 patients. During Corona crisis, apart from providing transport facilities and essential items like foodgrains to people, Indian Railways has also provided facilities for COVID-19 patients. It is providing service in the Central Hospital of the Diesel Rail Engine Factory of Indian Railways.

Note: Union Minister of Railways: Piyush Goyal.

 

6. Karnataka CM flags off first RORO train from Bengaluru to Solapur: Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa flagged off Roll-On/Roll-Off (RO-RO) train between Bengaluru (Nelamangala) to Solapur (Maharashtra) through video conferencing. The train consists of an open flat wagon. It was flagged off from Nelamagala station. The train will take 17 hours to cover 682 kms and reach its final destination. This train can carry 42 trucks with goods at a time. RORO service reduces accidents on the road, improves safety, saves fuel, and foreign exchange. It will also ensure faster transportation of essential goods, food items, and cargo. Its USP lies in the fact that it can transport a large amount of goods and reduces pollution. Drivers and their assistants like cleaners of each truck will sit in their vehicles during the journey.

 

7. Indian Railway solarises more than 960 stations: The Indian Railways has solarised more than 960 stations till date, in order to achieve its objective of becoming 100 per cent self-sustainable for all it's power needs and also to contribute to national solar power goals. According to an official release, orders have been placed for 198 MW solar rooftop capacity for 550 stations which are under execution. Indian Railways had recently organised a meet of leading solar power developers who had shared their expectations of being partners in the journey of Indian Railways to become "net zero carbon emitter" before 2030. Indian Railways is set to produce solar energy for meeting all it's energy consumption needs of more than 33 billion units by 2030. Current annual requirement is about 20 billion units. Indian Railways has a mega plan for installing solar plants of 20 GW capacity by utilizing its vacant land by 2030. Some of the Stations solarised are Varanasi, New Delhi, Old Delhi, Jaipur, Secunderabad, Kolkata, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Howrah etc.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Japan commits ODA of Rs 3500 crore to fight COVID-19 in India: India will receive an Official Development Assistance (ODA) loan of an amount of JPY50 billion (approx. Rs. 3,500 crore) from the government of Japan. Japan has committed the loan for the COVID-19 Crisis Emergency Response Support in order to fight the COVID-19 crisis. The ODA loan will support India’s efforts in its fight against COVID-19. It will also assist the country to prepare the health system to handle future epidemics. It will also increase the resilience of India’s health systems against infectious diseases. Japanese government has also committed Grant Assistance of an amount of JPY 1 billion (approx. Rs. 70 crore) for offering medical equipment to bolster the public health and medical system in India.

Note: Japan Capital: Tokyo; Currency: Japanese yen

 

2. India co-sponsors UN Security Council resolution on women peacekeepers: India has co-sponsored a Security Council resolution which was put forth by Indonesia. This resolution calls for full, effective and meaningful participation of women personnel in peacekeeping operations. The mission said India has set for itself during its tenure in the Security Council beginning 2021 that India will continue to push for greater involvement of women in all areas.

 

3. New Zealand’s stock exchange (NZX) resumes trading after cyber attacks: New Zealand's stock exchange resumed trading on 30th August, after facing disruptions for four consecutive days in the wake of cyber attacks this week, while the government said national security systems had been activated to support the bourse. There is no clarity on who was behind these two "offshore" attacks, but the failure to stop them has raised questions about New Zealand's security systems, experts said. Finance Minister Grant Robertson said the Government Communications Security Bureau and the national agency fighting cyber crime had been called in to help the bourse. NZX was hit on 26th and 27th by distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks, a common way to disrupt a server by overwhelming it with a flood of internet traffic. The attacks forced NZX to halt trading in its cash markets, disrupting operations in its debt market, Fonterra Shareholders Market and derivatives market.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Lewis Hamilton wins F1 Belgian Grand Prix 2020: Mercedes driver, Lewis Hamilton (Great Britain) has won the Formula One Belgian Grand Prix 2020 at Spa-Franco champs, Belgium. This was his 5th win of the season. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes-Finland) came second followed by Max Verstappen (Red Bull – Netherlands) at third place.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Indian economy contracted by 23.9% in Q1 of 2020-21: The estimates of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the first quarter (April-June) Q1 of 2020-21 has been released by the National Statistical Office(NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. NSSO has released the GDP estimates at both Constant (2011-12) and Current Prices. According to the latest release, the GDP at Constant (2011-12) Prices in Q1 of 2020-21 is estimated at Rs 26.90 lakh crore. This value was Rs 35.35 lakh crore in Q1 of 2019-20. Hence, the Indian economy has experienced a contraction of 23.9% as compared to 5.2% growth in Q1 2019-20. While the GDP at Current Prices in the year Q1 2020-21 is estimated at Rs 38.08 lakh crore.

This value was Rs 49.18 lakh crore in Q1 2019-20. Hence, it showed a contraction of 22.6% as compared to 8.1% growth in Q1 2019-20.

Note: Ministers of State (I/C) for Statistics and Programme Implementation: Rao Inderjit Singh.

 

2. Pramod Chandra Mody gets 6-month extension as CBDT Chairman: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved extension in the re-appointment of Pramod Chandra Mody as Chairman, Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) for a period of six months with effect from 01.09.2020 to 28.02.2021 or until further orders. The CBDT is headed by a chairman and can have a maximum of six members. It frames policy for the Income-Tax Department. PC Mody, a 1982 batch Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax cadre) officer, was appointed the CBDT chief in February 2019. He was in August last year re-appointed on the post for one year, till August 31, 2020, beyond the date of his superannuation on August 31, 2019.

Note: Central Board of Direct Taxes Established: 1924; Central Board of Direct Taxes Headquarters: New Delhi.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. Reliance buys Kishore Biyani’s Future retail for Rs 24,713 crore: Reliance Retail Ventures Limited (RRVL), subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited will buy Kishore Biyani’s Future retail for Rs 24,713 crore. The first step in this acquisition will be the merger of five Future Group’s listed entities including Future Retail, Future Lifestyle and Future Consumer – into Future Enterprises (FEL). FEL will then sell the retail, wholesale business, logistics and warehouse business as a slump sale to Reliance Retail and Fashion Lifestyle Limited (RRFLL). RRFLL is a subsidiary of RRVL which in turn is a subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited. This acquisition is subject to SEBI, CCI, NCLT, shareholders, creditors, and other requisite approvals.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Air Force Sports Control Board Gets Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar 2020: Air Force Sports Control Board was conferred with ‘Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar 2020’ for the outstanding contribution in helping sportsperson to excel in their respective disciplines and implement robust sports welfare measures. The award is for sustained efforts towards encouragement and promotion of sports in the country and IAF in particular. Air Marshal MSG Menon, Air Officer-In-Charge Administration and President, Air Force Sports Control Board received the award from Hon’ble President of India in an organised online ceremony at Vigyan Bhawan.

Air Force Sports Control Board (AFSCB) is the apex body for planning and conduct of sports activities within the IAF and at Inter-Services level. It has been the constant endeavour of AFSCB to improve standards of IAF teams and to guide them in career progression as sportsmen in IAF.

 

DEFENCE

 

1. MoD signs contracts worth Rs 2580 Cr with BEML, TPCL & L&T: Acquisition Wing of Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a contract worth Rs 2580 Cr with M/s. Bharat Earth Movers Ltd. (BEML), M/s. Tata Power Company Ltd. (TPCL) and M/s. Larsen & Toubro (L&T). The contract has been signed for supply of six Pinaka Regiments to the Regiment of Artillery of the Indian Army and hence will enhance the operation preparedness of our Armed Forces. Induction of Six Pinaka Regiments which comprise 114 Launchers with Automated Gun Aiming & Positioning System (AGAPS); 45 Command Posts to be procured from M/s TPCL and M/s L&T and 330 Vehicles to be procured from M/s BEML, is planned to be completed by 2024. It will also provide further boost to the ‘Make in India’ initiative of Government of India in the Defence Sector.

Note: Union Minister of Defence: Raj Nath Singh.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Former President Pranab Mukherjee passes away: The former President of India, Pranab Mukherjee passed away at the age of 84. He had tested positive for the coronavirus disease before undergoing successful surgery to remove a brain clot. He was born in the village of Mirati in Birbhum district of West Bengal. He was fondly known as ‘Pranab Da’. He was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2019. He was the fifth president to receive this Bharat Ratna award. He held the important foreign, defence, commerce and finance portfolios as a Union minister across various Congress-led governments in the past. Before becoming finance minister for the first time as part of Indira Gandhi’s Cabinet in 1982, Mukherjee had served as a deputy minister for finance in 1973-74.