Daily GK Updates – 11th Jan, 2021

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India to chair 3 key subsidiary bodies of UN Security Council: The Permanent Representative of India to the UN, T S Tirumurti has announced that India has been asked to chair three important committees of the UN Security Council (UNSC), during its tenure as a non-permanent member of the powerful 15-nation UN body. The three highly significant committees include:

(1) Taliban Sanctions Committee

(2) Counter-Terrorism Committee

(3) Libyan Sanctions Committee

Among these, India will chair the Counter-Terrorism Committee of UNSC in 2022, which coincides with the 75th anniversary of India’s independence. India began its two-year term at UNSC from January 01, 2021. It is the eighth time that the country has joined UNSC as the non-permanent member. In 2021, along with India, Norway, Kenya, Ireland and Mexico joined as non-permanent members in the Council.

 

2. Ramesh Pokhriyal inaugurates International Akhand Conference ‘EDUCON-2020’: Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ has inaugurated the two-day Virtual International Akhand Conference ‘EDUCON 2020’ through video conferencing. This two-day International Conference is being organized by the Central University of Punjab, Bathinda (CUPB) in collaboration with the Global Educational Research Association (GERA). The focal theme of EDUCON-2020 is Envisioning Education for Transforming Youth to Restore Global Peace. About the conference:

(1) This conference is the first of its kind in India where scholars across the world would be continuously having a non-stop marathon dialogue session for 31 hours exploring the possibilities of the use of ICT in the higher education to promote the equitable quality education in India.

(2) Further, the conference will also provide a platform for discussions on emerging trends in education viz., likely scenario of higher education and school education by 2050, developing disruptive technologies for STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) Education, training youth for strategic future jobs in Universities, the skill training programme for future graduates and relevance of ancient education system in 21st century.

 

3. J&K LG, Manoj Sinha launches Mobile Application ‘Satark Nagrik’: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha has launched Mobile Application ‘Satark Nagrik’ and Departmental Vigilance Officers Portal of J&K Anti Corruption Bureau. The Lt Governor observed that the UT Government is taking comprehensive measures for ensuring transparent, accountable, and responsive governance.

About Mobile Application ‘Satark Nagrik’: The mobile application launched today has been developed with a purpose to facilitate seamless flow of information about corruption and enable citizens to submit their grievances with ease and mobility. Any citizen having an android based device can download the application from play store. A unique ID number will be allotted at the time of registration of grievance which later can be used to track the status of grievance.

About Departmental Vigilance Officers Portal: The Departmental Vigilance Officers (DVO) Portal has been designed to enable an online communication channel with the DVOs of various departments. In certain cases, the complaints are related to ongoing works, current recruitments, and payments yet to be made against contracts etc. By referring these matters to DVOs, violations/ shortcomings can immediately be rectified and loss to the state exchequer can be prevented.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Pakistan successfully test fires “Fatah-1” Rocket System: The Pakistan Army successfully conducted the test flight of an indigenously developed Guided Multi Launch Rocket System, Fatah-1. The Fatah-1 weapon system is capable of precisely delivering conventional warheads deep into “enemy territory.” According to Director General of Army, Media Wing, Major General Babar Iftikhar, Fatah-1 weapon system can hit targets up to a range of 140 km.

Note: President of Pakistan: Arif Alvi; Prime Minister of Pakistan: Imran Khan.

 

2. Central African Republic president Touadera wins reelection: Faustin-Archange Touadera was re-elected as the president of the Central African Republic with more than 53% votes. The 63-year-old president has been in power since 2016 but has struggled to seize control of vast parts of the nation from armed militias. The Central African Republic, a producer of gold and diamonds, has a population of 4.7 million.

Note: Central African Republic Capital: Bangui; Central African Republic Currency: Central African CFA Franc.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Abhishek Yadav appointed as AIFF’s first Deputy General Secretary: Former India striker Abhishek Yadav has been appointed as the first deputy general secretary of All India Football Federation (AIFF) after the sports body decided to create a new post in its hierarchy. The 40-year-old former international, who has played with the likes of Bhaichung Bhutia, Sunil Chhetri, Mahesh Gawli and Climax Lawrence, has been serving as national team’s director since January 2018. Yadav has also served as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the 2017 U17 Indian World Cup team, collaborating closely with Luis Norton de Maros, the head coach.

Note: All India Football Federation President: Praful Patel; All India Football Federation Vice-President: Subrata Dutta; All India Football Federation Founded: 23 June 1937; All India Football Federation Headquarters: Dwarka, Delhi.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Bandhan Bank unveils account for army personnel: Private lender Bandhan Bank has signed an agreement with the Indian Army to provide banking services to the personnel of the force. The bank got the mandate to maintain and a Bank Shaurya Salary Account of the Army personnel. Bandhan Bank Shaurya Salary Account will have a zero balance facility. The Shaurya Salary Account also offers protection for self and assets.

About Bandhan Bank Shaurya Salary Account: They will be offered other preferential services such as six per cent interest on balance over Rs one lakh, unlimited free ATM transactions across ATMs, waiver of issuance and annual charge on Shaurya Visa Platinum Debit Card and unlimited free NEFT/RTGS/IMPS/DD transactions. This includes free personal accident insurance of Rs 30 lakh, air accident cover of Rs 1 crore and free educational benefit of up to Rs 1 lakh per year for four years to a dependent child in case of accidental death of the account holder.

Note: Bandhan Bank MD & CEO: Chandra Shekhar Ghosh; Bandhan Bank HQ: Kolkata, West Bengal; Bandhan Bank Founded: 2001.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. IHS Markit: Indian economy to rebound with 8.9% growth in FY22: London-based financial services company IHS Markit has projected the Indian economy to rebound by 8.9 per cent in the fiscal year 2021-22, beginning April 2021. This upward estimate is based on the backdrop of the significant improvement in domestic economic activity in the fourth quarter of 2020 by India.

Note: IHS Markit CEO: Lance Uggla; IHS Markit Headquarters: London, United Kingdom; IHS Markit  Founded: 1959.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Elon Musk overtakes Amazon’s Jeff Bezos to become world’s richest person: According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Tesla CEO Elon Musk overtakes Amazon’s Jeff Bezos to become the world’s richest person. Elon Musk had a net worth of more than $188.5 billion. A 6% rise in Tesla (TSLA) shares early Thursday lifted the value of its CEO’s stock holdings and options by $10 billion, taking his net worth to about $188.5 billion. A more modest rise of less than 2% lifted Bezos’ Amazon (AMZN) shares by about $3 billion, putting his net worth at $187 billion. Bill Gates is now a distant third at $132 billion, according to Bloomberg.

Note: Tesla Founded: 1 July 2003; Tesla Headquarters: California, United States.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Veteran Indian Fashion Designer Satya Paul passes away: Veteran Fashion designer Satya Paul, best known for reinventing the Indian saree for contemporary women, has passed away. Satya Paul launched the first saree boutique in India, L’Affaire, in 1980. In 1986, he launched India’s first designer label, under the brand ‘Satya Paul’, which has now become one of the premier brands in the country.

 

2. Veteran Professor Chitra Ghosh passes away: Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s niece and eminent academician Chitra Ghosh has passed away. She made pioneering contributions to academics and community services and dedicated her life in serving the people, teaching & inspiring the youth. Professor Bose was the former head of the political science department at Lady Brabourne College in Kolkata.