Daily GK Updates – 27th Oct, 2020

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Mandi district bags top position for implementation of PMGSY: Union Ministry of Rural Development has declared the list of top-performing 30 districts in the country for implementing the PMGSY programme. Himachal Pradesh’s, Mandi district has bagged top position among 30 districts of the country in the successful implementation of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY). Himachal Pradesh has also secured the second position at the national level for construction of roads under PMGSY. Mandi district has received top position for constructing roads under PMGSY of maximum length in 2020-21. Six more districts of Himachal Pradesh have also secured a position among top 30 best performing districts, which include Chamba, Shimla, Kangra, Una, Sirmour, Hamirpur and Solan.

The state has also improved its performance under PMGSY programme by constructing 1104 Kilometres roads this year from April till date. PMGSY is a programme funded by the Union government to connect habitations having a population of more than 250 in the state. It was established on 25th December 2000.

Note: Union Minister of Rural Development: Narendra Singh Tomar.

Chief Minister of HP: Jairam Thakur; Governor of HP: Bandaru Dattatraya.

 

2. AYUSH Minister inaugurates Regional Raw Drug Repository at AIIA: AYUSH Minister Shripad Yesso Naik inaugurated the Regional Raw Drug Repository at All India Institute of Ayurveda in New Delhi through a virtual function. This RRDR is the second in the series of repositories proposed by National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB). AYUSH Ministry has said that there is an increased demand for the natural healing and herbal products across the globe which has been further pushed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In order to document the diversity in the genetics and chemistry of medicinal plants, eight RRDR and one NRDR have been proposed by Ministry of AYUSH.

 

3. Maharashtra’s Women & Child welfare dept launches initiative to fulfill nutritional requirements of lactating mothers & children: After performing  the most difficult task of providing nutritional food to 74 lakh beneficiaries during Corona pandemic, Maharashtra’s Women and Child welfare department has launched a new initiative to fulfill the nutritional requirements of lactating mothers and children in the state. Women and Child welfare minister Yashomati Thakur inaugurated the platform ‘TARANG SUPOSHIT MAHARASHTRACHA’ which is based on the interactive voice response system. The platform is expected to create more awareness about the nutritional requirements of women and children in the state.

The digital platform Tarang Suposhit Maharashtracha is equipped with the facilities like a helpline, broadcast call, whatsapp chatbot etc. The number 8080809063 will give important guidance about the nutritional food, special care to pregnant women, lactating mothers and parents of the children. Short films containing the information about nutrition and also the video series showing special recipies and preparations of nutritious dishes are available on the platform.

 

4. Karnataka govt gives nod to switch implementing agency for Bhagyalakshmi scheme: The Karnataka cabinet granted approval to implement the Bhagyalakshmi scheme, which provides financial security to girl child of BPL families, through Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana of the postal department instead of LIC. The postal department will be the implementing agency for Bhagyalakshmi scheme, one of the flagship schemes of the Yediyurappa-led BJP government in the state. Since the interest rate offered by the LIC was way less, the state government decided to switch the agency. Under this scheme, a girl child belonging to below poverty line (BPL) families is eligible to receive Rs one lakh after completing 18 years of age. The scheme is aimed at elevating the status of a girl child in the family and society. Re-designing and implementing the Bhagyalakshmi scheme will not result in any loss to the beneficiary.

 

5. Vigilance Awareness Week 2020: 27th Oct - 2nd Nov: The Vigilance Awareness Week 2020, is being celebrated from 27 October to 2 November 2020. Theis observed every year by the Central Vigilance Commission during the week in which the birthday of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (31 October) falls.  The theme for 2020 Vigilance Awareness Week is Vigilant India, Prosperous India (Satark Bharat, Samriddh Bharat). The awareness week campaign affirms our commitment to the promotion of integrity and probity in public life through citizen participation. In 2020, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is hosting a National Conference on Vigilance and Anti-Corruption from 27 to 29 October 2020, which will be addressed by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

Note: Central Vigilance Commissioner: Sanjay Kothari; Central Vigilance Commissioner Formed: February 1964; Central Vigilance Commissioner Headquarters: New Delhi.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India gets Chairmanship of ILO Governing body after 35 years: India has assumed the Chairmanship of the Governing Body of International Labour Organization (ILO), after a gap of 35 years. The Labour and Employment Secretary, Apurva Chandra, has been elected as the Chairperson of the Governing Body of the ILO for the period October 2020- June 2021. Chandra is a 1988 batch Indian Administrative Service officer of Maharashtra Cadre. He would preside over the upcoming the Governing Body’s meeting, to be held in November 2020.

About Governing Body of International Labour Organization: The Governing Body is the apex executive body of the ILO which decides policies, programmes, agenda, budget and elects the Director-General. At present, ILO (Headquarter- Geneva, Switzerland) has 187 members. It meets three times a year, in March, June and November.

 

2. Israeli Embassy to have first 'Water Attache' in India from January, 2021: Israel Embassy will have a separate 'Water Attache' from January 2021 to help share their country's best practices and technologies for advancements in India's water management and agriculture sectors. In another significant development, Israel will soon nominate an honorary Consul in the North-East to increase its presence and collaboration in that region.

In January for the first time Israel is going to nominate a ‘Water Attache’ who will join the ‘Agriculture Attache’ who has been here for many years and together. They will go to the centres of excellence for agriculture established as part of Indo-Israel collaboration and bring to India technology and systems in water management and agriculture. As many as 29 such centres of excellence have already been established across India and nearly 1.5 lakh farmers have been trained at these centres in just one year.

 

3. USAID announces $5 m to support India’s initiatives: The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has introduced two new awards totalling $5 million to Catalyst Management Service’s COVID Action Collaborative (CAC) and the Wadhwani Institute for Artificial Intelligence as a part of the US authorities’s help to India’s Covid-19 response. This financial assistance brings USAID’s COVID-19 assistance to India to over $13 million.The two-year, $3-million partnership with CAC, will profit over 10 million uncared for and susceptible people affected by the pandemic, the discharge stated. This can be executed by strengthening the capability of 100 native organisations, 10 native governments and 15 associations of healthcare suppliers, small retailers, and avenue distributors, and can hyperlink them with authorities and personal sector assets.

 

4. World Day for Audiovisual Heritage: 27th October: The World Day for Audiovisual Heritage is observed globally on 27 October every year. The day was chosen by UNESCO to raise awareness of the significance and preservation risks of recorded sound and audiovisual documents. The theme of the World Day for Audiovisual Heritage 2020: “Your Window to the World”. The 33rd session of UNESCO’s General Conference adopted 33 C/Resolution 53 to proclaim 27 October as World Day for Audiovisual Heritage, in commemoration of the adoption, in 1980 by the 21st session of the General Conference, of the Recommendation for the Safeguarding and Preservation of Moving Images.

Note: UNESCO headquarters: Paris, France; UNESCO Head: Audrey Azoulay; UNESCO Founded: 16 November 1945.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Lewis Hamilton wins Portuguese Grand Prix 2020: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-Great Britain) has won the 2020 Portuguese Grand Prix, held at Algarve International Circuit, Portugal. This was the 12th round of the 2020 Formula One World Championship. This is Hamilton’s 8th win of the season and 92nd career race victory. With this win, he has surpassed the record of 91 wins set by German great Michael Schumacher. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes- Finland) came second followed by Max Verstappen (Red Bull – Netherlands) at the third spot.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Mastercard partners with Atlantis to expand Digital First Program in India: Mastercard has entered into a partnership with Atlantis to expand the Digital First Program in India. The partnership aims to provide the users of Mastercard, a technology solution that enables them to enjoy a best-in-class digital banking experience. After the launch in India, the partnership will expand to Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. The partnership allows the users of the Mastercard to have immediate account access and convenient payments.

Digital First Program: The Digital First Program aims to renew the relationship of users with more meaningful experiences. It is operational with prepaid, debit and credit cards and account-based payments through any digital device. Advantages for Customers:

(1) Users can use their cards/accounts to make digital transactions within minutes of application, enabled by a completely digital online application and the issuance process including video KYC (in collaboration with Signzy).

(2) Cardholders can use their cards for online shopping or at physical stores, without having to wait to receive a physical card.

(3) Users can control their own spending and set usage alerts from the mobile app.

(4) Users have the option to pay anytime, anywhere at the places where Mastercard cards are accepted globally.

Note: Mastercard Headquarters: New York, United States; Mastercard President: Michael Miebach; Mastercard Chief Executive Officer(CEO): Ajay Banga (Michael Miebach will take over as CEO by January 2021).

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. India's foreign exchange reserves touch 555.12 billion dollars: India's foreign exchange reserves have surged by 3.615 billion dollars to touch a fresh lifetime high of 555.12 billion dollars in the week ended 16th October. Foreign currency assets increased by 3.539 billion dollars to 512.322 billion dollars. Gold reserves went up by 86 million dollars in the reporting week to reach 36.685 billion dollars. The country’s special drawing rights with the International Monetary Fund remained unchanged at 1.480 billion dollars.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. India-assisted hydroelectric project in Bhutan wins UK engineers’ body award: India-assisted Mangdechhu Hydroelectric project in Bhutan has been awarded the Brunel Medal-2020, an award conferred by the UK’s top engineering body, Institute of Civil Engineers.

About Mangdechhu Hydroelectric project: The 720-MW Mangdechhu run-of-river power project is built on the Mangdechhu River in Trongsa Dzongkhag district of central Bhutan at a cost of Rs 4,500-crore. The project was jointly inaugurated by the prime ministers of the two countries in August 2019, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Bhutan.

Note: Capital of Bhutan: Thimphu; Prime minister of Bhutan: Lotay Tshering; Currency of Bhutan: Bhutanese ngultrum.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-Hee passes away: The chairman of South Korea’s largest conglomerate, Samsung Group, Lee Kun-hee has passed away. Lee helped to transform Samsung from a small trading business to become the world’s largest producer of smartphones and memory chips. The firm’s overall turnover today is equivalent to a fifth of South Korea’s GDP. Lee was also the richest person in South Korea, according to Forbes, with a net worth of nearly $21bn.

 

2. Veteran Gujarati Singer Mahesh Kanodia passes away: Veteran Gujarati film musician, singer and former Lok Sabha MP Mahesh Kanodia (83 years) passed away due to prolonged illness at his residence in Gandhinagar. He was a member of 10th, 11th, 12th and 14th Lok Sabha from Patan constituency of North Gujarat. He was known for singing in 32 different voices including female voices along with working for Gujarat cinema. He was awarded for Best Music for Gujarati films Jigar ane Ami, Tanariri, Jog Sanjog and Laju Lakhan.