Daily GK Updates - 28th April, 2021

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Centre extends Rs 50 lakh insurance scheme for healthcare workers for one year: After an unprecedented spike in covid-19 positive cases, the Centre extended the Rs 50 lakh insurance scheme for about 22 lakh healthcare providers for another year with immediate effect.The scheme implemented by New India Assurance was slated to end on April 24. The insurance provides a comprehensive personal accident cover of Rs 50 lakh to a total of around 22.12 lakh public healthcare providers, including community health workers, who may have to be in direct contact and care of patients suffering from coronavirus infection and who may be at risk of being impacted by this. The scheme is funded through the National Disaster Response Fund, operated by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

 

2. Haryana launches ‘Covid Emergency Loan Scheme’: To ensure uninterrupted flow of vital medical supplies to fight the Covid-19 pandemic in the State, Haryana Government announced “Haryana Covid Emergency Loan Scheme” for new and old entrepreneurs supplying medicines, oxygen and other medical facilities to Covid-19 patients. For this, the State Government has set up a fund of Rs 500 crore. Under the scheme, Haryana Government will help businessmen, presently working in the state, to increase their current production or to set up new units to meet various requirements to tackle Covid-19 pandemic.

 

3. Maharashtra to appoint oxygen nurses to curb wastage of oxygen at hospitals: Maharashtra Health Minister Dr. Rajesh Tope has said that the state needs to appoint oxygen Nurses to curb wastage of oxygen and to maintain data of oxygen storage at hospitals. He gave the example of Nandurbar district which adopted the good practice of appointing oxygen nurses in the year 2020. The primary job of an oxygen nurse is to monitor the requirement of oxygen every 2-4 hours round the clock, its use among patients and to ensure minimum wastage. Instruction has been issued to all government medical colleges and hospitals to set up a dedicated team of nurses.

 

INTERNATIONALUPDATES:

 

1. India third highest military spender in 2020: India has retained its position as the third biggest military spender in the world in 2020, according to new data titled ‘SIPRI Military Expenditure Database’ published by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) on April 26, 2021.

Top 5 nations: As per the new report, the top five biggest spenders in 2020 were the United States ($778 billion), China ($252 billion), India ($72.9 billion), Russia ($61.7 billion) and the United Kingdom ($59.2 billion) respectively. These five nations together accounted for 62 per cent of global military expenditure.

Global Expenditure: Globally, the military spending in 2020 rose to $1981 billion. This value is an increase of 2.6 per cent in real terms as compared to 2019.

 

2. WHO unveils global immunization strategy to save 50 million lives by 2030: A UN-led global immunization strategy was unveiled to reach more than 50 million children who have missed lifesaving jabs against measles and other diseases because of COVID-19 disruption. WHO, along with UNICEF and the vaccine alliance Gavi, said their new global strategy has the potential to save 50 million lives within less than a decade. A WHO survey showed more than one third of countries were still seeing disruptions to their routine immunisation services. The joint statement said, around 60 mass vaccination campaigns were currently postponed in 50 countries, putting 228 million people, mostly children, at risk of diseases such as measles and polio.

 

3. Workers’ Memorial Day: 28th April: The Workers’ Memorial Day, also known as International Commemoration Day for Dead and Injured Workers occurs every year on 28 April. The day has been organized worldwide by the International Trade Union Confederation since 1996. Theme 2021: ‘Health and Safety is a fundamental workers‘ right.’ Its purpose is to remember workers killed in incidents at work or by diseases caused by work and honour the victims of occupational accidents and diseases by organizing worldwide mobilizations and awareness campaigns on this date.

 

4. World Day for Safety and Health at Work: 28th April: World Day for Safety and Health at Work is observed globally on 28 April every year. This day is observed to promote the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases globally and raise awareness to ensure health and safety at the workplace. The theme for 2021 is “Anticipate, prepare and respond to crises – Invest Now in Resilient Occupational Safety and Health Systems”.

History of World Day for Safety and Health at Work: The World Day for Safety and Health at Work is an annual international campaign to promote safe, healthy and decent work. It is persisted 28 April and has been observed by the International Labour Organization (ILO) since 2003.

Note: Headquarters of International Labour Organization: Geneva, Switzerland; President of International Labour Organization: Guy Ryder; International Labour Organization Founded: 1919.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. DeepikaKumari-led Women’s Recurve Team Wins Gold at World Cup Archery Stage 1: Indian women’s recurve team held its nerve to pip Mexico 5-4 (27-26) in an intriguing final to grab a gold medal in the Archery World Cup Stage 1. Locked 4-4 in the shoot-off, the Indian team comprising seasoned DeepikaKumari, AnkitaBhakat and Komalika Bari shot 27 to edge out their Mexican rivals by one point and claim their first World Cup team gold after seven years. This was India’s fifth recurve women’s team gold in World Cup having won in Shanghai- 2011, Medellin-2013, Wroclaw-2013 and 2014 previously. In another match, the Indian mixed recurve team of Atanu Das and AnkitaBhakat won the bronze medal after a 6-2 victory over USA.

 

2. Haryana and Delhi to host Khelo India Youth Games in November 21st To December 5th, 2021: The fourth edition of ‘Khelo India Youth Games-2021’ will be held in Panchkula, Ambala, Shahabad, Delhi and Chandigarh from November 21 to December 5, in which various sports activities under-18 category would be organised. Besides this, some BRICS Games 2021 would also be organized during Khelo India.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Shivalik Small Finance Bank Limited Begins Operations: The UP-based Shivalik Small Finance Bank Limited commenced operations as a Small Finance Bank (SFB) with effect from April 26, 2021. It must be remembered that the Shivalik Mercantile Co-operative Bank (SMCB) is the first urban co-operative bank (UCB) in India to receive licence from RBI to operate as a Small Finance Bank (SFB). The bank has received the licence from RBI under Section 22 (1) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 to carry on the business of small finance bank in India. Shivalik SFB area of operation is Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and parts of Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

Note: Shivalik Small Finance Bank Limited MD and CEO: Suveer Kumar Gupta.

 

2. ArunRaste named new MD & CEO of NCDEX: Market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has given approval to the appointment of ArunRaste as MD and CEO of National Commodity & Derivatives Exchange Limited (NCDEX) for a period of 5 years. Raste is currently associated with the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) as an Executive Director and prior to NDDB, he has worked with organisations like IDFC First Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, NABARD, ACC Cement, and a non-profit NGO IRFT.

Note: NCDEX Founded: 15 December 2003; NCDEX Headquarters: Mumbai; NCDEX Owner: Government of India (100%).

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. Oxford Economics Projects India’s FY22 GDP Growth Forecast to 10.2%: The Global forecasting firm Oxford Economics has revised downwards the GDP growth forecast for India to 10.2 per cent for fiscal 2021-22. Earlier it predicted this at 11.8 per cent. The downward revision is based on the country’s serious health burden, weak vaccination rate and lack of a convincing government strategy to contain the pandemic.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Uttar Pradesh won e-panchayat award: The Uttar Pradesh government won the “E-Panchayat Puraskar 2021”, ranking first in Category I. It was followed by Assam and Chhattisgarh at the second position, while Odisha and Tamil Nadu stood third. Every year, the Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj awards those states, which ensure maximum use of information technology to keep a tab on the work done by gram panchayats.

Note: UP Capital: Lucknow; UP Governor: Anandiben Patel; UP Chief minister: Yogi Adityanath.

 

DEFENCE

 

1. DRDO develops single crystal blades for helicopter engines: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed single-crystal blades technology for helicopters and has supplied 60 of these blades to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) as part of their indigenous helicopter development programme for engine application. The DRDO will develop a total of five sets (300 blades) of single-crystal blades. This is part of a programme taken up by the Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL) to develop five sets of single-crystal high-pressure turbine (HPT) blades using a nickel-based superalloy.

Note: Chairman DRDO: Dr G Satheesh Reddy; DRDO Headquarters: New Delhi; DRDO Established: 1958.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Renowned Gujarati poet and folk singer DadudanGadhvi Passes Away: Veteran Gujarati poet and folk singer DadudanPratapdanGadhvi has passed away. He was 80 years old. He was also known as Kavi Dad. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2021 for his contribution in literature and education. Besides, he had written songs for 15 Gujarati films.