Daily GK Update- 10th, May 2021

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. HimantaBiswaSarma chosen Assam’s new chief minister: HimantaBiswaSarma has been named as the 15th Chief Minister of Assam on May 08, 2021. He will replace incumbent SarbanandaSonowal. He will take the charge of the office with effect from May 10, 2021.The BJP party won a second straight term in the 2021 assembly polls in the state. The party won 60 seats in the 126-member Assam assembly. MrSarma joined the BJP six years ago in 2015, after quitting the Congress.

Note: Assam Governor: JagdishMukhi.

 

2. KalkiKoechlin Authors her Debut Book Titled ‘Elephant In The Womb’: Bollywood actress KalkiKoechlin is making her debut as an author, with her first book titled “Elephant In The Womb”. The book, which is yet to be released, is an illustrated non-fiction book on motherhood. It is illustrated by ValeriyaPolyanychko and published by Penguin Random House India (PRHI). The book narrates about pregnancy and parenting for mothers, expectant mothers, and “anyone even thinking about motherhood”.

 

3. Haryana govt launches Ayurvedic tele-medicine facility for Corona patients: Haryana Government has launched Ayurvedic telemedicine facility for Corona patients. Health Minister Anil Vij said that any patient can consult the Ayurvedic Doctors on phone by dialling 1075.The facility has been launched after verifying the response of Ayurvedic medicines used on Corona patients.He said, a call centre has been set up to run it and teams of senior Ayurvedic Doctors have been appointed for consultation, who will provide service from 8 am to 10 pm.

 

4. Andhra Pradesh govt ties up with Essar to develop steel plant in Kadapa:The Andhra Pradesh government decided to select Essar Steel Limited as the joint venture partner for setting up a three million tonne per annum capacity steel plant in Kadapa district.The project capex of the project is Rs 11,606 crore.The state Cabinet cancelled its previous resolution, made on February 23, selecting Liberty Steel India Limited as the JV partner for construction and development of the YSR Steel Plant.

 

5. Himachal Pradesh CM Jai Ram Thakur launches dedicated COVID-19 ‘MukhyamantriSewaSanklap Helpline 1100’ in Shimla:Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur launched dedicated COVID-19 Helpline ‘MukhyamantriSewaSanklap Helpline 1100’ for facilitating the people regarding COVID related issues in Shimla.The callers can call on toll free number 1100 from 7 am to 10 pm for seeking help regarding COVID related issues.The call executive would register the complaint and contact concerned authorities for providing necessary help to the person regarding various issues such as test, vaccination, home quarantine, medicines, ambulance and Oxygen.

 

INTERNATIONALUPDATES:

 

1. PESCO: EU approves US participation for the first time:The European Union recently approved the requests of Norway, Canada and the United States to participate in the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) defence initiative. This is the first time, the European bloc has allowed a third state to participate in the PESCO project. The countries will now participate in the Military Mobility Project in Europe.

Military Mobility Project: It is to aid the free movement of military units in the European Union through the improvement of infrastructure and removal of bureaucratic barriers. It mainly revolves around two areas namely bureaucratic barriers (like passport checks) and the requirement of advance notice. During a NATO emergency, the troops can move freely and fastly. However, during peacetime, advance notice is required.

About PESCO:It is a part of the European Union security and defence policy. It was introduced based on the Treaty of the European Union introduced by the Treaty of Lisbon in 2009.  Around four-fifths of the PESCO members are also NATO members. NATO is North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.In November 2020, the European Union allowed non-EU members to participate in PESCO. Following this, Canada, the US and Norway had requested to participate in PESCO.Four of the states in the European Union declare themselves as neutral. They are Austria, Ireland, Finland and Sweden.

 

2. PM Modi Participates in Virtual India-EU Leaders’ Meeting:Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the India-EU Leaders’ Meeting, held in a hybrid format. The India-European Union Leaders’ Meeting is hosted by Portugal. Portugal currently holds the chair of the grouping. PM Modi attended the event at the invitation of the President of the European Council Mr Charles Michel.The leaders of all the 27 EU Member States, as well as the President of the European Council and the European Commission, participated in the meeting. This is the first time that the EU hosted a meeting with India in the EU+27 format.

Key highlights of India in the meeting:It was proposed to further strengthen the India-EU Strategic Partnership based on a shared commitment to democracy, fundamental freedoms, rule of law and multilateralism.The leaders decided to resume negotiations for balanced and comprehensive free trade (FTA) and investment agreements.An ambitious and comprehensive ‘Connectivity Partnership’ was launched between India-EU with a focus on enhancing digital, energy, transport and people-to-people connectivity.A finance contract of Euro 150 million was also signed for the Pune Metro Rail Project by the Indian Ministry of Finance and European Investment Bank.

Note: European Council Founded: 9 December 1974;European Union Headquarters location: Brussels, Belgium;European Union Founded: 1 November 1993.

 

3. International Day of Argania: 10th May:In 2021, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 10 May the International Day of Argania. The resolution, submitted by Morocco, was co-sponsored by 113 member states of the United Nations and adopted by consensus. The argan tree (ArganiaSpinosa) is a native species of the sub-Saharan region of Morocco, in the southwest of the country, which grows in arid and semiarid areas.

History of the day:The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designated in 1988 the endemic production area as the Arganeraie Biosphere Reserve.Also, all know-how concerning the argan tree was inscribed in 2014 on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.Moreover, in December 2018, FAO recognized the Argan-based agro-sylvo-pastoral system within the area of AitSouab – Ait Mansour in Morocco as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System.And lastly, in 2021, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 10 May the International Day of Argania.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. ArynaSabalenka wins her Maiden Madrid Open Women’s singles title:In tennis, the world number seven, ArynaSabalenka of Belarus, defeated world number one Ashleigh Barty of Australia to win the 2021 Madrid Open women’s singles title. This Sabalenka’s 10th career WTA singles title, second WTA title of the season and first on clay court. Madrid Open is a professional WTA tennis tournament played on outdoor clay courts. Sabalenka beat Australian player Barty with 6-0, 3-6, 6-4.In the women’s doubles final, BarboraKrejcikova and Katerina Siniakova, from the Czech Republic, defeated Gabriela Dabrowski of Canada and Demi Schuurs of France 6-4,6-3.

 

2. Alexander Zverev beats Matteo Berrettini to win his 2nd Madrid title: German Alexander Zverev earned his second Mutua Madrid Open title 2021 when he defeated Matteo Berrettini 6-7(8), 6-4, 6-3 to lift his fourth ATP Masters 1000 trophy. He won his first Madrid title in 2018 in a final against Thiem. The win gave him his fourth Masters 1000 title, and first in three years. He will be trying to improve from his fourth-round exit last year at the French Open.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Citi Announces Additional Rs 200 Cr Aid for COVID Relief Efforts in India, Wells Fargo to donate $3 Mn: American banking major Citibank committed an additional Rs 200 crore to support COVID-19 relief measures in India.The Rs 200 crore amount will be spent over the next three financial years, and a sum of Rs 75 crore will be allocated towards immediate medical and humanitarian needs.Citi said the immediate support of Rs 75 crore will focus on procurement of oxygen supplies, adding beds to hospitals, diagnostic testing systems, personal protection kits and other supplies for India’s frontline healthcare workers.The funds will also be utilized towards food and hygiene supplies for low-income families.

Meanwhile, its peer Wells Fargo, which runs an offshore unit in the country to support the global operations, also announced to donate USD 3 million (over Rs 22 crore) to civil society bodies in the country to help the COVID-19 relief efforts.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. AnupamKher wins best actor award at New York City International Film Festival: AnupamKher won the Best Actor award for his performance in the short film Happy Birthday at the New York City International Film Festival. The film has been directed by Prasad Kadam and produced by FNP Media. Besides Anupam, Happy Birthday stars AahanaKumra. The film also won the Best Short Film award at the festival.

 

DEFENCE

 

1. Indian Army sets up Covid Management Cell for real time response:The Indian Army has set up a Covid Management Cell to bring greater efficiency in coordinating real-time responses to address the exponential rise in Covid cases across the country. It helps in assistance to civil administration in the form of testing, admissions in military hospitals, and transportation of critical medical equipment.About the Covid Management Cell:

(1) The Army has deployed additional doctors, including specialists, super specialists and paramedics, at various hospitals.

(2) The Defence Ministry has granted an extension to Short Service Commissioned doctors of the Armed Forces Medical Services till December 31, 2021, which has augmented the strength of AFMS by 238 more doctors.

(3) The army has also mobilised its resources to assist the civil administration to tide over the current Covid-19 situation in the country.

(4) Army has provided 100 beds each at Lucknow and Prayagrajto cater to the surge in cases.

(5) A total of 200 drivers have been kept on standby for driving oxygen transporters to various parts of the country and 10 TATRA and 15 ALS vehicles are on standby to tranship medical supplies arriving at Palam airport.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Renowned Sculptor and Rajya Sabha MP Raghunath Mohapatra Passes Away:Eminent sculptor, architect, and Rajya Sabha member, Raghunath Mohapatra has passed away while undergoing treatment for COVID-19. Hailing from Odisha, Mohapatra was awarded Padma Shri in 1975, Padma Bhushan in 2001 and Padma Vibhushan in 2013 for his pioneering contributions to the world of art, architecture and culture.