Daily GK Updates - 1st Oct, 2020

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot e-launches “ASIIM”: Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot e-launched the “Ambedkar Social Innovation and Incubation Mission (ASIIM)”. The mission has been launched under the Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Castes (SCs) in order to promote innovation and enterprise among SC students studying in higher educational institutions. The Objective of this fund is to provide concessional finance to the entities of the SC entrepreneurs. Under this fund, 117 companies promoted by SC entrepreneurs have been sanctioned financial assistance to set up business ventures. Under the name “Ambedkar Social Innovation Incubation Mission (ASIIM)” initiative, 1,000 SC youth would be identified in the next 4 years with start-up ideas through the Technology Business Incubators (TBIs) in various higher educational institutions.

 

2. PM Modi inaugurates six mega projects in Uttarakhand under Namami Gange Mission: On 29 September 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated six mega projects in Uttarakhand under the Namami Gange Mission through video conference. These projects include:

(1) Construction of a 68 MLD (million liters per day) STP and up-gradation of the existing 27 MLD STP at Jagjeetpur, in Haridwar

(2) Construction of an 18 MLD STP at Sarai, in Haridwar.

(3) Inauguration of a 26 MLD STP at Lakkadghat, in Rishikesh

(4) 7.5 MLD STP in Chandreshwar Nagar

(5) 5 MLD STP at Chorpani

(6) 2 STPs with capacities of 1 MLD and 0.01 MLD at Badrinath

Other inaugurations done by PM Modi includes: “Ganga Avalokan”, the first museum on River Ganga, located at Chandi Ghat, Haridwar. The museum will showcase the culture, biodiversity and rejuvenation activities done in Ganga River. A book titled, ‘Rowing down the Ganges’, co-published by National Mission for Clean Ganga & Wildlife Institute of India. Logo of Jal Jeevan Mission and ‘Margdarshika for Gram Panchayats and Paani Samitis under Jal Jeevan Mission’

 

3. Dr. Harsh Vardhan launches CSIR Technologies for rural development: The Minister of Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Harsh Vardhan has launched CSIR Technologies for rural development under a joint initiative of Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA), Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD) and Vijnana Bharti (VIBHA). All of the above have planned to work jointly on a framework for scientific intervention to create sustainable livelihood opportunities in the rural clusters under synergy of S&T Organizations (CSIR/DST/DBT/DRDO etc), VIBHA and UBA. The Minister also released CSIR-National Institute of Science, Technology and Development Studies (NISTADS) e-Compendium and e-Coffee Table Book, on the occasion. The CSIR-NISTADS is acting as a nodal CSIR Lab to establish linkages between CSIR laboratories, UBA, VIBHA, and stakeholders.

 

4. Bengal Peerless appoints Sourav Ganguly as brand ambassador: Kolkata based Real Estate Developer, Bengal Peerless Housing Development Company Limited appointed Former National Cricket Team Captain and Current President of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Sourav Ganguly as it’s Brand Ambassador. He will lead the campaign of Bengal Peerless’s Residential Project Avidipta II.

About Bengal Peerless Housing Development Company Ltd: Bengal Peerless Housing Development Company Limited was established in 1994 with West Bengal Housing Board and The Peerless General Finance and Investment Company Limited. Since its inception, Bengal Peerless has successfully built about 5000 numbers of dwelling units for people of all sections of the society.

 

5. Amnesty International halts operations in India: The Amnesty International India has stopped its operations in the country, after the government of India froze the bank accounts of the organisation on September 10, for allegedly breaking rules on foreign funding laws. The organization has laid off more than 100 staff members and ceased its human rights campaigns and research work in India. As per the Government of India, Amnesty International has been receiving foreign funds, which the government has prohibited under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) 2010.

Note: Amnesty International Headquarters: London, United Kingdom; Amnesty International Secretary-General: Kumi Naidoo.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India-Denmark Virtual Bilateral Summit calls for ‘Green Strategic Partnership’: The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi and the Prime Minister of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen participated in a virtual India-Denmark Bilateral Summit. The summit aimed at further extending cooperation to strengthen bilateral relationship between the two countries. During the Summit, the two countries agreed for the establishment of ‘Green Strategic Partnership’, which would involve:  political cooperation, expand economic relations and green growth, create jobs and strengthen cooperation on addressing global challenges and opportunities and ambitious implementation of the Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The summit saw signing of an MoU in the field of intellectual property cooperation between the two countries. Apart from this, Denmark also joined the International Solar Alliance (ISA). Denmark has also proposed to host the second India-Nordic Summit. A joint statement was issued under which the two sides agreed to cooperate in a range of sectors like energy, climate change, environment, water, circular economy, sustainable urban development, trade, shipping, food, agriculture and life sciences.

 

2. Gujarat govt signs MoU with Denmark in water sector: Gujarat Government has signed a 5-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Denmark in the water sector. The state government arm Gujarat Water Supply and Sewerage Board has signed the MoU with ‘Danish Water Forum’ through an online interactive platform.

About MOU: This MoU will help in technology exchange, training, capacity building, knowledge exchange, cooperation in water supply, wastewater treatment- reuse and water management between the two organizations. MoU has been signed for a five-year period in order to set up the Indo-Danish Water Technology Alliance in Gujarat and contribute to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal -6.

Note: Danish Water Forum Chairman: Hans-Martin Friis Moller; Danish Water Forum Headquarters: Hørsholm, Denmark

Gujarat Chief Minister: Vijay Rupani; Gujarat Governor: Acharya Devvrat.

 

3. International Day of Older Persons: 1st October: International Day of Older Persons is observed globally on 1st October every year. The year 2020 marks the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations and the 30th Anniversary of the International Day of Older Persons. The International Day of Older Persons is an opportunity to highlight the important contributions that older people make to society and raise awareness of the opportunities and challenges of ageing in today’s world. The theme of International Day of Older Persons 2020: Pandemics: Do They Change How We Address Age and Ageing?

 

4. World Vegetarian Day: 1st October: World Vegetarian Day is observed annually on October 1 globally to raise awareness about the ethical, environmental, health, and humanitarian benefits of a vegetarian lifestyle. The day was initiated by the North American Vegetarian Society in Scotland in 1977 during the World Vegetarian Congress. The full week between October 1–7 is observed as the International Vegetarian Week (IVW).

 

5. International Coffee Day: 1st October: International Coffee Day is celebrated on 1st October every year to celebrate millions of people across the world who do hard work to create and serve the beverage in the consumable form such as farmers, roasters, baristas, and coffee shop owners etc. The first ICD was launched in 2015 by the International Coffee Organization in Milan. The theme 2020 of the day is ‘‘Coffee’s Next Generation’’.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Kiren Rijiju launches new logo of Sports Authority of India: The Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Kiren Rijiju has launched the new logo of Sports Authority of India’s (SAI) on 30 September 2020 at Delhi’s Major Dhyan Chand Stadium.

About SAI logo: The new logo of SAI features a flying figure which indicates the freedom an athlete to leapfrog his/her career in SAI. The figure features Indian Tricolour and blue colour of the chakra. The logo signifies SAI’s journey of metamorphosis from identifying and nurturing grassroots level sporting talent to creating sporting excellence in the country.

Note: Director-General of SAI: Sandip Pradhan; Sports Authority of India was established in 1984.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. SEBI allows REITs, InvITs to raise fund in institutional placement after 2 weeks of previous placement: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has eased the norms for Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs)  for preferential and institutional placement of their respective units. SEBI has allowed Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) to raise equity capital through the institutional placement route two weeks after a previous such exercise. Earlier the allowed time gap was six months between two institutional placements.

 

2. Indian Bank launched Green-Tech Initiative “IB-eNote”: Indian Bank has launched a green initiative named “IB-eNote” to enable a total paperless working environment. This tool enables processing and tracking of notes put up by various offices digitally. The bank for this initiative has customised SharePoint, one of the features of Microsoft Office. The Bank also launched ‘Ind Guru’, an e-learning platform for its employees.

About “IB-eNote”: The IB-eNote facility is likely to considerably improve Turnaround Time, save the cost of paper, printing and other administrative expenses. Microsoft is a leading technology company that has pioneered many industry-firsts. IB-eNote is one of the Bank’s many initiatives to promote digital transformation and to address new gen customers to serve them. The bank with this initiative is taking another step to achieve greater efficiency by continuously empowering its biggest asset (human resources/ staff members).

Note: Indian bank MD & CEO: Padmaja Chunduru; Indian bank Headquarters: Chennai, TamilNadu.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize 2020 announced: The Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize 2020 was announced by the Union science and technology minister Dr Harsh Vardhan at the Foundation Day celebration of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). Here is the list of 14 scientists awardees:

Biological Sciences: (1) Dr Subhadeep Chatterjee; (2) Dr Vatsala Thirumalai

Chemical Sciences: (1) Dr Jyotirmayee Dash; (2) Dr Subi Jacob George

Earth, Atmosphere, Ocean and Planetary Sciences: (1) Dr Abhijit Mukherjee; (2) Dr Suryendu Dutta

Engineering Sciences: (1) Dr Amol Arvindrao Kulkarni; (2) Dr Kinshuk Dasgupta

Mathematics Sciences: (1) Dr UK Anandavardhanan; (2) Dr Rajat Subhra Hazra

Medicine Sciences: (1) Dr Bushra Ateeq; (2) Dr Ritesh Agarwal

Physics Sciences: (1) Dr Rajesh Ganapathy; (2) Dr Surajit Dhara

About the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize: The prize is given to Indian scientists below the age of 45 for outstanding research in seven fields—Biology, Chemistry, Environment Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Medicine and Physics. The Prize is bestowed on a person who, in the opinion of CSIR, has made conspicuously important and outstanding contributions to human knowledge and progress fundamental and applied, in the particular field of endeavour.

 

DEFENCE

 

1. Defence Minister launches “Defence India Startup Challenge-4”: Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh launched the Defence India Startup Challenge (DISC 4) during the iDEX event. iDEX4Fauji initiative and Product Management Approach (PMA) guidelines were also launched by the Raksha Mantri during the event. Each of these initiatives is expected to facilitate iDEX-Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO) to scale up the program qualitatively and quantitatively.

iDEX4Fauji is a first of its kind initiative, launched to support innovations identified by members of the Indian Armed Forces and will bolster frugal innovation ideas from soldiers/ field formations. iDEX4Fauji will allow our soldiers to become part of the innovation process and get recognised and rewarded. Under Defence India Startup Challenge (DISC) 4, eleven challenges from Armed forces were thrown open to prospective startups, innovators, MSMEs alike to provide their innovative ideas on technologies which find their application in the defence sector.