Daily GK Updates - 13th Oct, 2020

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Haryana govt launches mobile water testing labs: Haryana government has launched a mobile water testing laboratory van, fully equipped with a multi-parameter system containing analysers, sensor, probes and instruments meant for assessing water quality. Water quality in Haryana is mainly affected by constituents like total dissolved solids (TDS), fluoride, nitrate, iron and alkalinity. This initiative work under the Jal Jeevan Mission, which aims to provide tap water to rural households by 2024, is being done on a war footing and it gives a lot of emphasis on water quality surveillance and monitoring. About mobile water testing laboratory van:

(1) This mobile water testing lab is GPS-enabled for location tracking. The analysed sample data can be transmitted to a centralised Public Health Engineering Department server via GPRS/3G connectivity with power backup.

(2) It also provides on-site recording and reporting of results through a smartphone or similar device with the ability to send results direct to a web-based secure central server.

(3) This mobile van also has a fully automated sensor-based analysis controlled by centrally commanded software.

(4) The LED display unit in the mobile lab gives an instant display of the results immediately after analysis.

(5) The lab is capable of measuring different water quality parameters like pH, alkalinity, TDS, hardness, residual chlorine, zinc, nitrate, fluoride, turbidity and micro-biological test of water samples.

It will help in quickly identifying the water quality problem on the spot at a site.

Note: Governor of Haryana: Satyadeo Narayan Arya; Chief Minister of Haryana: Manohar Lal Khattar.

 

2. Eight Indian beaches got International Blue flag Certification: Eight beaches in India have been awarded the coveted ‘Blue Flag’ certification by an eminent international jury, which comprises members of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). India became first country in Asia-Pacific region that achieved this feat in just 2 years time.

The beaches selected for the certification are: Kappad (Kerala), Shivrajpur (Gujarat), Ghoghla (Diu), Kasarkod and Padubidri (Karnataka), Rushikonda (Andhra Pradesh), Golden (Odisha) and Radhanagar (Andaman & Nicobar Islands).

What is the ‘Blue Flag’ certification? The ‘Blue Flag’ is a certification that can be obtained by a beach, marina, or sustainable boating tourism operator, and serves as an eco-label. The certification is awarded by the Denmark-based non-profit Foundation for Environmental Education, which sets stringent environmental, educational, safety-related and access-related criteria that applicants must meet and maintain. It is awarded annually to beaches and marinas in FEE member countries.

Note: The Blue Flag programme was started in France in 1985 and in areas out of Europe in 2001. The programme promotes sustainable development in freshwater and marine areas through four main criteria: water quality, environmental management, environmental education and safety. Forty-seven countries currently participate in the program, and 4,573 beaches, marinas, and boats have this certification.

 

3. Kerala becomes 1st state to have completely digital, hi-tech classrooms: Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan has declared the state public education sector completely digital as Kerala has become the first state in the country to have high-tech classrooms in all its public schools. The high-tech classroom project was implemented by Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for Education (KITE) with financial assistance from Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB). MP and MLA funds, local self-government institutions fund were also utilised for setting up the classrooms. About high-tech classroom project:

 The programme was started on July 5, 2019. Over 3.74 lakh digital equipment were distributed in 16,027 schools for the smart classroom project. In the first phase, 45,000 high-tech classrooms for classes 8 to 12 were readied in 4,752 government and aided high schools and higher secondary schools. The project was launched on January 21, 2018. High-tech labs were started in 11,275 primary and upper primary schools for classes 1 to 7.

Note: Chief Minister of Kerala: Pinarayi Vijayan; Governor: Arif Mohammad Khan.

 

4. PM Modi releases Rs 100 commemorative coin to honour Vijaya Raje Scindia: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has released a commemorative coin of Rs 100 to mark the birth centenary of Rajmata Vijaya Raje Scindia, one of the founder member of the ruling BJP, through a virtual ceremony. The special coin has been minted by the Ministry of Finance. Vijaya Raje Scindia, who dedicated her life to poor people, is also popularly known as the Rajmata of Gwalior.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India Ranks 129 in Oxfam’s Commitment to Reducing Inequality (CRI) Index 2020: India has been ranked 129 among 158 countries in the 2020 Commitment to Reducing Inequality (CRI) Index. The third edition of the index focuses on Fighting Inequality in the time of COVID-19. The index is released by the international charitable organisation ‘Oxfam International’ in partnership with Development Finance International and with inputs from independent experts. It monitors what governments are doing through their policy commitments to reduce inequality and tackle the gap between rich and poor. The index is based upon three basic pillars: Public Services Pillar, Progressive Tax Pillar and Workers Rights Pillar. The 2020 CRI index has been topped by Norway. South Sudan is the lowest ranking country in the index at 158th position.

India in the Index: As per the index, India is among the world’s worst performing countries in tackling inequality going into the pandemic. India’s health budget is the world’s fourth lowest and only half of the population has access to even the most basic healthcare services.

 

2. International Day for Disaster Reduction: 13th October: The United Nations International Day for Disaster Reduction is observed globally on 13th October. The day is celebrated to promote a global culture of risk-awareness and disaster reduction and also celebrates how people and communities around the world are reducing their exposure to disasters and raising awareness about the importance of reining in the risks that they face. It was first observed in 1989 and Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction was adopted in 2015 for this day. Theme 2020: ‘Disaster risk governance’.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Chetan Anand named brand ambassador for Indian brand ‘Transform’: Commonwealth Games medallist in Badminton, Chetan Anand has been roped in as the brand ambassador for India’s first-ever homegrown professional badminton brand “Transform”.

About “Transform”: Transform Badminton is India’s 1st professional badminton brand at par with the best racquets available in the market that are currently imported from abroad for playing in India. Transform racquets have been made out of the military-grade graphite.

 

2. Nihal Sarin wins Chess.com's 2020 Junior Speed Online Championship: Young Indian player Nihal Sarin emerged winner in the Chess.com’s 2020 Junior Speed Online Chess Championship in Chennai, beating Russia’s world junior No. 6 Alexey Sarana by 18-7 in the final. The title win earned the 16-year-old Sarin USD 8,766 and enabled him to qualify for the 2020 Speed Chess Championship Final which will feature the world’s best players. Sarin had beaten American Andrew Tang, Australia’s Anton Smirnov and Armenian Haik Martirosyan en route the title. Nihal Sarin is a former world Under-10 champion and will join Indian men's team that is taking part in Asian Online Nations (Regions) Cup Team Championship.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announces measures to boost consumer & capital demand by Rs 73000 cr by 31 March 2021: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman chaired the 43rd GST Council meeting through video conferencing in New Delhi on 12 October 2020. Sitharaman announced several measures to boost capital expenditure and stimulate consumer demand in the economy, which are are estimated to cost Rs 73,000 crore by 31 March 2021. The major highlights of the announcements made during the meeting are listed below:

(1) Rs 12,000 crore interest-free 50-year loan to states for spending only on capital projects in a bid to boost economy. Out of this, Rs 1,600 crore will be for north-eastern states and Rs 900 crore will be for Uttrakhand and Himachal Pradesh, Rs 7,500 crore for the remaining states. Rs 2,000 crore will be given to states that fulfill pre-stated reforms.

(2) Additional capital expenditure of Rs 25,000 crore. This will be provided over and above the existing Rs 4.13 lakh crore allotted in the annual budget. The additional money will be for spending on roads, defence infrastructure, water supply and urban development, defence infrastructure and domestically produced capital equipment.

(3) LTC Cash Voucher Scheme and Special Festival Advance Scheme to primarily benefit central government employees. The schemes will generate additional consumer demand of Rs. 36,000 crore by March 31, 2021. This would include Rs 28,000 crore through LTC voucher scheme and Rs 8,000 crore through festival advance scheme.

(4) Special Festival Advance Scheme: The festival advance and other similar advances were abolished under the 7th Pay Commission. But the government has proposed to restore the festival advances to Government employees for festivals upto 1st January 2021. Under this, all Central Government employees will get an interest-free advance of Rs 10,000, in the form of a prepaid RuPay Card. This needs to be spent by March 31, 2021. The amount should be paid back in 10 instalments.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. Myntra signs Bhuvan Bam as first digital brand ambassador: Fashion e-commerce platform Myntra has named digital influencer Bhuvan Bam as its first digital brand ambassador, to strengthen its digital presence and engage with tech-savvy customers ahead of the festive season. Both Myntra and Bhuvan will make content that will give the brand more acknowledgment in their effectively youthful market. The incorporation of topics like fashion and lifestyle in his creative and relatable content will facilitate Myntra’s endeavors of taking advantage of the fashion-centric crowds

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Prince William launches “Earthshot Prize” to boost climate innovation: Britain’s Prince William and Naturalist David Attenborough have launched an “Earthshot Prize”, with an aim to encourage change and support to repair the planet. The Earth shot Prize aims to “incentivize change and help to repair our planet over the next 10 years,” and “turn pessimism into optimism” by rewarding innovative solutions to environmental problems.

About Earthshot Prize: The first five Earthshots will be awarded for projects that focus on protecting and restoring nature and clean air, reviving oceans, fixing the climate and reducing waste. Five prizes of 1 million pounds ($1.3 million) will be awarded each year for the next 10 years, aiming to support at least 50 solutions to the world’s greatest environmental problems by 2030.  The prize is supported by a group of individuals and organisations and philanthropic bodies of billionaires like Bloomberg Philanthropies, Jack Ma Foundation (Alibaba), Paul G.Allen Family Foundation(Microsoft).

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Nagaland’s Environment Minister C M Chang passes away:  Nagaland’s environment minister, C M Chang (77 years) passed away at Naga Hospital Authority, Kohima due to COVID-19. He was a retired IAS officer and former Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha (2009-13). He was elected to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly from 51 Noksen constituencies under Tuensang district in 2013 and later retained the same seat in 2018 on Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) ticket. He was elected to 15th Lok Sabha in 2009 and 51 Vidhan Sabha in 2013 becoming Minister of Education. He also served as Justice & Law Minister of Nagaland.

 

2. Former Indian footballer Carlton Chapman passes away: Former Indian football captain Carlton Chapman (49 years) passed away due to a heart attack in Bengaluru. Carlton Chapman won 14 titles including the first edition of National Football League along with I M Vijayan and Bhaichung Bhutia. He was the captain of the Indian team when India won the South Asian Football Federation Gold Cup in 1997. He was a leading midfielder played for Indian from 1995 to 2001. He joined Quartz FC, Kozhikode as the technical director in 2017.