Daily GK Updates - 15th Oct, 2020

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Odisha launches ‘Sujal’ Mission to provide tap water fit for drinking: Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik has inaugurated “Sujal”, ‘Drink from Tap Mission’ scheme, to provide round the clock supply of quality tap drinking water in all urban areas of the state.

About “Sujal” scheme: The state has set the target to provide piped water connections to all urban areas in the state by March 2022. Odisha government has set Rs 1300 crore for this scheme which will benefit over 15 lakh people in 15 towns in a phased manner. Once fully implemented, Odisha will become the first state in the country to provide quality drinking water, fit for direct consumption, in urban areas.

Note: Chief Minister of Odisha: Naveen Patnaik; Odisha Capital: Bhubaneswar; Odisha Governor: Ganeshi Lal.

 

2. Kerala govt sets up welfare board for farmers: In a first in the country, the Kerala government has decided to form a Welfare Fund Board for the uplift of farmers in the state. The state cabinet decided to set up the board to be known as ‘Kerala Karshaka Kshemanidhi Board’. For the farmers to become a member of the Board, they need to pay Rs 100 as registration fee and a monthly fee of Rs 100.The government will provide an equivalent share of upto Rs 250 to the members of the Welfare Fund. The Board members are entitled to personal pension, family pension, sickness benefit, disability benefit, medical assistance, marriage and maternity allowance, education assistance and posthumous benefits.

Note: Kerala Capital: Thiruvananthapuram; Governor: Arif Mohammad Khan; Chief Minister: Pinarayi Vijayan

 

3. Assam CM launches Kisan Rath Mobile App to facilitate sale of agriculture products: Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal launched the Kisan Rath (fruits and vegetables) mobile application to facilitate timely selling of agriculture products by promoting buyer-seller network in a programme held at the Assam Administrative Staff College. The app interconnects online more than 10,000 farmers, 50 farmer producer organizations and 1,000 verified agricultural traders. The application was initially released by the Government of India and has been customized by NIC Assam to suit the requirements of the state.

Note: Assam Capital: Dispur; Governor: Jagdish Mukhi

 

4. Rajasthan Launches Toll-free Helpline For Mental Health Services: A toll-free government helpline for mental health ”Mann Samvad” was launched by Health Minister Raghu Sharma in Rajasthan. The helpline 1800-180-0018 launched by the state government to continuously strengthening mental health services during the coronavirus period. The facility of free tele-counselling is being provided to patients with mental health issues that through the helpline.

Note: Rajasthan Capital: Jaipur; Governor: Kalraj Mishra; Chief Minister: Ashok Gehlot

 

5. IIT Kharagpur designs robotic system to identify diseases plaguing plants: IIT Kharagpur has designed a robotic system capable of identifying the diseases plaguing plants through camera-captured image analysis. Again use of such a device instead of manual operation of spraying pesticide will protect the farmers from related probable health hazards. This is a battery-driven robotic system. Once fully charged, it will be able to perform its duty in the field for about two hours.

 

6. TRIFED, Chhattisgarh MFP Federation, IIT-Kanpur to launch Tech for Tribals Initiative: Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Ltd (TRIFED) under Ministry of Tribal Affairs in collaboration with Chhattisgarh MFP Federation and IIT-Kanpur is to launch ‘Tech for Tribals' initiative on 13th October 2020. Tech for Tribals:

(1) The initiative aims to provide advance level training to the Vandhan tribal beneficiaries. Earlier, TRIFED has collaborated with MSME through its Entrepreneurship and Skill Development Programme (ESDP) scheme for providing skill upgrading and entrepreneurial capacity building support to the Van Dhan tribal beneficiaries to establish their sustainable enterprise.

(2) Tech for Tribals initiative aims at the holistic development of tribals with a focus on entrepreneurship development, soft skills, IT, and business development through Self Help Groups (SHGs) operating through Van Dhan Kendras (VDVKs).

(3) Under the program, the beneficiaries will undergo a 30 days program over six weeks comprising 120 sessions. The training will be initially held from 12th October - 7th November 2020, in which Vandhan beneficiaries across all districts of Chhattisgarh.

(4) The training module has been developed by IIT-Kanpur. The module will be disseminated among beneficiaries in a phased manner through various modes such as online lectures and training, online activities and gradually move to face to face interactions in classrooms, practical, onsite visits and exposure visits.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Argentina becomes 1st nation to approve genetically modified wheat: Argentina has approved HB4 drought-resistant GMO wheat, making it the first country in the world to approve a strain of GMO wheat. The drought-resistant HB4 wheat variety was developed by Argentine biotechnology company Bioceres, working with the National University and Conicet. Bioceres’ HB4 wheat is resistant to drought and tolerates the herbicide glufosinate sodium, a combination the company says can help boost yields on dry years.

Note: Argentina Capital: Buenos Aires; Currency; Peso; President: Alberto Fernández

 

2. Fifth Meeting of India-Mexico Bilateral High Level Group on Trade, Investment and Cooperation Held: The fifth meeting of India and Mexico Bilateral High-Level Group on Trade, Investment and Cooperation was held through video conferencing. The official discussed several topics including the Bilateral investment treaty, Cooperation Framework on phytosanitary and sanitary products, Audiovisual co-production, Technical barriers to trade, Market access for Agricultural Products, Cooperation in intellectual property rights and Promotion of tourism and the improvisation of people to people contact. They also reaffirmed to diversify their bilateral relationship in the trade of Pharmaceuticals, Medical equipment, Healthcare, Agro products, Fisheries, Food processing industries and Aerospace.

 

3. International Day of Rural Women: 15th October: The International Day of Rural Women is observed globally on 15 October each year. The day recognizes the crucial role of women and girls in ensuring the sustainability of rural households and communities, improving rural livelihoods and overall well-being. In India, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare observes the day as the Rashtriya Mahila Kisan Diwas since 2016, to increase the active participation of women in agriculture. The theme for this International Day of Rural Women is “Building rural women’s resilience in the wake of COVID-19,” to create awareness of these women’s struggles, their needs, and their critical and key role in our society.

 

4. World Students’ Day: 15th October: World Students’ Day is observed every year on 15 October to mark the birth anniversary of former President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. This year marks the 89th birth anniversary of the former president and ‘Missile Man’ Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. In 2010 the United Nations declared 15 October “World Students’ Day”, due to Kalam’s love for students and who himself was a dedicated teacher and identified himself foremost in that role before anything else.

About A.P.J Abdul Kalam: A.P.J Abdul Kalam was born on 15 October 1931 at Dhanushkodi, Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu. His full name was Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam. In 2002, he was elected as the President of India and before becoming president he was working with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) as an aerospace engineer. As a scientist, he began his career at the Aeronautical Development Establishment of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Also, he had served as the project director of India’s first Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-III) at ISRO.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Ajinkya Rahane signed as brand ambassador of Hudle: Sports tech and events startup Hudle has announced the appointment of cricketer Ajinkya Rahane as brand ambassador and advisor of the company. Apart from being the face of the brand, Rahane will also be able to guide the team with strategic inputs through his wealth of experience in professional sport. Rahane is currently in the United Arab Emirates with the Delhi Capitals for the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) edition.

Hudle is a sports tech, events and management company that uses technology to make sports activities accessible to the masses, irrespective of their age or skill level. It enables players to book sports venues, events and fitness sessions on their B2C platform while helping sports facility owners streamline their operations with their B2B partner software.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. RBI to rationalise risk weightage on housing loans to push demand: In order to promote the housing sector, the Reserve Bank of India decided to rationalise risk weightage on housing loans, making the product attractive for both borrower and lenders. With revision in the risk weightage, the requirement of capital provision for banks will come down. This will encourage banks to push housing loan products with attractive features. RBI has decided to link home loans to Loan-to-Value (LTV) ratios for new housing loans sanctioned up to March 31, 2022. Such loans shall attract a risk weight of 35% where LTV is less than or equal to 80%, and a risk weight of 50% where LTV is more than 80% but less than or equal to 90%, he said.

 

2. RBI to conduct on-tap targeted LTRO to boost credit flow: RBI announced an ‘On Tap TLTRO’ scheme worth Rs 1 trillion, to provide liquidity support to various economic sectors and banks. The TLTRO will be for up to three years and for a total amount of up to Rs 1 trillion at a floating rate linked to the policy repo rate for banks. The sectors which could benefit from this move include construction, real estate, and microfinance. RBI will provide these funds under on-tap targeted long-term repo operations (TLTRO) at a floating rate linked to the policy rate for up to three years. At present, the repo rate is 4 percent.

What is TLTRO or LTRO?

LTRO lets banks borrow one to three-year funds from the central bank at the repo rate, by providing government securities with similar or higher tenure as collateral. Targeted Long-Term Repo Operations (TLTRO), banks can invest in specific sectors through debt instruments (corporate bonds, commercial papers, and non-convertible debentures (NCDs)) to push the credit flow in the economy. It is called 'Targeted' LTRO as in this case, the central bank wants banks opting for funds under this option to be specifically invested in investment-grade corporate debt. This helps banks get funds for a longer duration as compared to the short-term (up to 28 days) liquidity provided by the RBI through other tools such as liquidity adjustment facility (LAF) and marginal standing facility (MSF).

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Sarah Hall becomes first writer to win BBC National Short Story Award twice: Sarah Hall has become the first writer to win the BBC national short story award twice, with judges describing her as a virtuoso of the form. Hall, who previously took the £15,000 prize in 2013, won the annual competition again for The Grotesques, a “timeless and unsettling” story that explores privilege, inequality and mother-daughter relationships in a university town. The prize, which is supported by Cambridge University, is initially judged blind.

 

2. Indian Navy Ships Sahyadri and Kora adjudged as Best Ships in FAF 2020: Fleet Award Function (FAF), 2020 was organised to mark the successful culmination of the Operational Cycle of the Eastern Fleet of the Indian Navy at Visakhapatnam. During the event, the Fleet Operations Officer presented the Annual Report of activities and achievements of the Fleet for 01 Apr 19 to 31 Mar 20. Sixteen trophies were awarded in recognition of excellence in various operational verticals. The most coveted trophies of Best Ship were awarded to INS Sahyadri amongst Capital ships and INS Kora amongst Corvettes and similar classes of ships. Indian Naval Ships Airavat and Kiltan jointly bagged the ‘Best Spirited Ship’ displaying indomitable spirit and grit whilst undertaking a plethora of challenging missions.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Nightingale of Gujarat, Kaumudi Munshi passes away: Renowned Gujarati Singer Kaumudi Munshi (91 years) passes away due to COVID-19 at Somaiya Hospital in Sion. She is known as the Nightingale of Gujarat. Some of her popular songs in Gujarati are 'Sachi re maari satre bhavani maa’, and ‘koi aghe aghe thi venu vai che'. She sang as a classical singer and was also known for her work in thumri, dadra, chaiti, kajari, ghazals and Bhojpuri folk songs. She also compiled Gujarati album for children called Chhaani Maani Raat Padi.