Daily GK Updates - 19th Oct, 2020

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. CRPF collaborates with IIT Delhi, DRDO, JATC to augment R&D capabilities: The country’s largest para-military force, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has collaborated with IIT Delhi, Defence Research and Development Organisation, and Joint Advanced Technology Centre (JATC) to augment its Research and Development capabilities. The CRPF officers/SOs (Subordinate Officers) who are trained by the IIT Delhi will also be associated with joint research projects undertaken by DRDO and IIT Delhi in the field of defence/security tech solutions. CRPF has over 3 lakh personnel, of which more than 500 officers/SOs holds a degree in Engineering.

The benefit of the Initiative: This initiative aims at the capacity building to make optimal use of police technologies. It will also help in integrating with DRDO labs for realistic Indigenisation of technologies on the internal security grid. It will also provide operational feedback on futuristic technologies, which enable the IIT Tech experts to conduct proactive R&D.

Note: Central Reserve Police Force Director-General: AP Maheshwari; Central Reserve Police Force Headquarters: New Delhi, India.

 

2. Raj Police Launches Drive For Women’s Safety And Security: The Rajasthan police launched a campaign to spread awareness among woman about the crime against them and to educate them of their rights and ways to secure justice if they end up becoming its victims. Named ‘AAWAJ’ — Action Against Women-related crime and Awareness for Justice the campaign was launched by Civil Rights and Anti-Human Trafficking Unit of the police and will run across the state to generate gender equality and curb crimes against women. In the first month of the campaign from October 13 to November 12, special efforts will be made to curb rape incidents, besides spreading awareness about the laws related to women safety.

 

3. GoI extends Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla’s tenure till 2021: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the extension of the tenure of Home Secretary, Ajay Kumar Bhalla till August 22, 2021. Bhalla, a 1984 batch IAS officer of Assam-Meghalaya cadre, was appointed as Home Secretary in August 2019. He was to superannuate on November 30, 2020.

 

4. Kati Bihu festival celebrated across Assam: Kati Bihu is one of the sets of three Bihu festivals (agricultural festivals) was celebrated in the state of Assam. The Kati Bihu is also known as Kangali Bihu, the festival of the poor (the word “Kongal” means “poor”) is celebrated in mid-October when the crops are at growing stage and the granaries of the farmers are depleting.

About Kati Bihu: The Kati Bihu is celebrated with the lamp called ‘Saki’ which is lit on the tips of bamboo poles in the fields which represents a guide to spirits and earthen lamps are lit in the garden, under the tulsi plants and in the granaries. The farmers chant spells to ward off the negativity and pests in the field and pray for a prosperous harvest. The locals of Assam celebrate the festival by lighting Diya in their fields and homes and perform cultural dance and organise feasts.

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

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Jacinda Ardern wins 2nd term as New Zealand’s PM: The Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern, won a landslide victory in the country’s general election, to be elected as the PM for the second consecutive three-year term. In the battle against Covid, Ardern was alone among her western peers in pursuing an explicit elimination strategy and imposed one of the strictest nationwide lockdowns in the world. Ardern’s centre-left Labour Party won 49.2% of the total 83.7% votes counted in the 120-member parliament. The 40-year-old is serving as the 40th Prime Minister of the country since 26 October 2017.

Note: New Zealand Capital: Wellington; New Zealand New Zealand dollar.

 

2. India slips to rank 151 in protecting labour rights: India has fared poorly in protecting labour rights and has slipped to rank 151 among 158 countries, according to Oxfam’s Commitment to Reducing Inequality Index (CRII) report. India also slipped from rank 141 to 151 with weak labour rights and high incidence of vulnerable employment. Highest presence of informal sector for men was in Uttar Pradesh at 86.9 per cent and for women was in Andhra Pradesh at 73.6 per cent. Overall, India ranked 129 in the CRI index out of 158 countries on government policies, and actions in areas of public services of education, health, social protection, taxation, and workers’ rights. Norway topped the CRI index. The CRII is a global report that ranks 158 governments, including India, on their commitment to reducing inequality.

 

3. India ranked 94 in Global Hunger Index 2020: India ranked 94 among 107 nations in the Global Hunger Index 2020. With a score of 27.2, India has been placed in the “serious” category in the GHI scale. Although there is an improvement in a score as compared to 38.9 in 2000, 37.5 in 2006, and 29.3 in 2012 but still it represent a serious level of hunger. Last year, India’s rank was 102 out of 117 countries. According to the report, 14 per cent of India’s population is undernourished. It also showed the country recorded a 37.4 per cent stunting rate among children under five and a wasting rate of 17.3 per cent. The under-five mortality rate stood at 3.7 per cent.

The neighbouring Bangladesh, Myanmar and Pakistan too are in the ‘serious’ category but ranked higher than India in this year’s hunger index. While Bangladesh ranked 75, Myanmar and Pakistan are in the 78th and 88th position. Nepal in 73rd and Sri Lanka in 64th position are in ‘moderate’ hunger category, the report showed.

About Global Hunger Index: The GHI is a tool designed to measure and track hunger at the global, regional, and national levels to make a reasonable assessment. Data from the United Nations (UN) and other multilateral agencies are used for the calculation GHI on the basis of 4 Indicators. A score of less than 9.9 signifies “low” hunger, that of 10-19.9 represents “moderate” levels of hunger, 20-34.9 points to “serious” hunger, 35-39.9 signifies “alarming” and over 50 “extremely alarming” levels of hunger.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Pakistan’s fast Bowler Umar Gul announces retirement: Pakistani pace bowler, Umar Gul has announced that he will retire from all forms of cricket. The 36-year-old Gul, who played his last match for Pakistan an ODI in 2016, featured for Balochistan team in the National T20 Cup. The Peshawar-born Gul made his international debut in an ODI in 2003. He played his first Test that year itself. His last Test was against South Africa in 2013. From 47 Test matches, Gul took 163 wickets at an average of 34.06. He also claimed 179 wickets from 130 ODIs, besides 85 wickets from 60 T20Is.

 

2. Rohan Jaitley elected unopposed as DDCA President: Advocate Rohan Jaitley, the son of late Union Minister Arun Jaitley, has been elected unopposed as the President of the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA). He was the single candidate left for the post, as the lone candidate who had filed his nomination against him withdrew his candidature. The 31-year-old lawyer is slated to remain in the post till June 30, 2021. Notably, late Arun Jaitley had also served as the president of DDCA between 1999 and 2013.

 

3. Odisha to sponsor National rugby teams: Odisha Government announced that it would sponsor the Indian national rugby team for the next three years and facilitate high performance training and conditioning of the players. An agreement with Indian Rugby Football Union (IRFU) was inked at Kalinga Stadium. Sports Director R Vineel Krishna and president of IRFU Maneck Unwala signed the agreement in presence of Sports and Youth Services Minister Tusharkanti Behera, Secretary Vishal Dev, CEO IRFU Naseer Hussain and former rugby player Rahul Bose. The partnership is part of the State Government’s mission to develop, promote and expand the sports ecosystem beyond hockey and football. The sponsorship will cover training, conditioning and incentivising the Indian national rugby teams (men and women) participating in international rugby events. The Odisha Government will pay the Indian Rugby Football Union (also known as Rugby India) ₹3 crores as the sponsor of National teams over three years.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. RBI to conduct first-ever OMO purchase of State Developments Loans: Reserve Bank of India will conduct its first-ever Open Market Operation (OMO) purchase of State Developments Loans (SDLs) on 22nd October. OMOs will have a worth of Rs 10,000 crore and will be conducted as a special case during current financial year to improve liquidity and facilitate efficient pricing.  The size of the auctions may be enhanced subsequently, depending on the market response. The RBI will purchase the SDLs through a multi-security auction using the multiple price method. The result of the auction will be announced on the same day.

SDLs: Dated securities issued by states for meeting market borrowing requirements of the state

 

2. Rajkiran Rai becomes new chairman of IBA: The Managing Director and CEO of Union Bank of India, Rajkiran Rai G has been elected as the Chairman of Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) for the term 2020-21. He succeeds Rajnish Kumar as the IBA Chairman after Kumar recently retired as SBI Chief. Apart from this, Dinesh Kumar Khara, the Chairman of State Bank of India has been elected as the deputy chairman of the association. IBA is an association of banks and other entities in the banking ecosystem in India catering to its members

Note: IBA Headquarters location: Mumbai, Maharashtra; IBA Founded: 26 September 1946.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Aishwarya Sridhar wins Wildlife Photographer of the Year Award: A 23-year-old, Mumbai based girl, Aishwarya Sridhar became the first Indian woman to win the 2020 Wildlife Photographer of the Year award. It is the 56th year of the prestigious award. Her image titled ‘Lights of passion’, won among 50,000 entries from over 80 countries across the world. Only 100 images were shortlisted and she won the award for her photograph in the Behaviour Invertebrates category. She is the first and youngest girl to win this prestigious award from India in the Adult category. The award winners were announced at the Natural History Museum in London.

 

DEFENSE

 

1. India to hand over its kilo-class submarine INS Sindhuvir to Myanmar for training purpose: As per the information delivered by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), India has decided to hand over INS Sindhuvir, a Kilo class submarine to the Myanmar Navy by the end of 2020. This initiative has been launched under the vision SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region), to guarantee security for all maritime partners and is also in line with India’s commitment to build capacities and self-reliance in all its neighbouring countries. The Indian Navy had bought the INS Sindhuvir, a Soviet-origin Kilo-class submarine, from Russia in 1980s and has operated it since 1988. It is currently being modernized by the Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) in Vizag, after which its service life will be extended by 10-15 years. It will then serve the Myanmar Navy till the 2030s. The INS Sindhuvir will be used by the Myanmar Navy for training purposes. It will also be the first-ever submarine for the Myanmar Navy, which is looking at acquiring its own submarine fleet in the coming years.

 

2. India conducts successful night trial of nuclear-capable Prithvi-2 missile: India has successfully conducted the night trial of its nuclear-capable Prithvi-2 missile from Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur near Balasore, off Odisha coast. The user flight trial was carried out by the Strategic Forces Command of the armed force under the watch of DRDO scientists as part of a training exercise.

About Prithvi-2: The state-of-the-art missile is India’s first indigenous surface-to-surface strategic missile, developed by DRDO under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme. The 9-metre tall liquid-propelled Prithvi-2 has a range of 350 km and can carry a 1-tonne warhead. It uses Advanced Inertial Guidance System (AIGS) with manoeuvring trajectory to reach the target with a few metre accuracy. It has been designed to deliver advanced warheads deep into enemy territory. The missile dives at the target at an 80-degree angle.

Note: DRDO Chairman: Dr G. Satheesh Reddy; DRDO Headquarters: New Delhi.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Veteran Bengali Vocal Artiste Pradip Ghosh passes away: Noted Bengali elocutionist Pradip Ghosh (78 years) passed away at his residence in Kolkata due to COVID-19. He was a prominent recitor and renowned vocal artist, who was well-known for his inimitable style of recitation. His most notable works included his recitation of Tagore’s poems, especially those for children. He worked as a joint director in the state information and cultural affairs department. He was awarded with Kaji Sabyasachi award by West Bengal Govt in 2017.

 

2. Bihar Panchayati Raj Minister Kapil Deo Kamat passes away: Bihar's Panchayati Raj minister Kapil Deo Kamat (70 years) passed away at AIIMS, Patna due to COVID-19. He was suffering from kidney failure and had been on ventilator over the past few days. He was JD(U) MLA from Babubarhi assembly constituency. Babubarhi is set to go to polls during the third phase of Bihar elections, on November 7. He is the second minister in Nitish Kumar's cabinet to succumb to the infection this week.