Daily GK Update- 18th April, 2022

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. PM Modi Dedicates K. K. Patel Super Speciality Hospital in Bhuj: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has dedicated to the nation, a 200-bed KK Patel Super Speciality Hospital in Bhuj in the Kutch district of Gujarat, via video-conferencing. This hospital has been built by Shree Kutchi Leva Patel Samaj, Bhuj and is the first charitable super speciality hospital in the Kutch region. It will guarantee quality medical treatment for the people of Kutch including lakhs of soldiers, par military personnel and traders. This initiative is in line with the policy of the Central government to set up at least one medical college in every district of the country so that India gets a record number of doctors in the next 10 years.

 

2. ‘SVANidhi se Samriddhi’ introduced by MoHUA: In the presence of senior officials from States/UTs and several Central Ministries, Shri Manoj Joshi, Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), launched the ‘SVANidhi se Samriddhi’ programme in an additional 126 cities across 14 States/UTs. Key Points:

a)      PMSVANidhi’s extra initiative, ‘SVANidhi se Samriddhi,‘ was launched in 125 cities in Phase 1 in 2021, covering around 35 lakh street vendors and their families. They have been given 22.5 lakh scheme sanctions, which include 16 lakh insurance benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jeeban Jyoti Yojana, and 2.7 lakh pension benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan Yojana, among other things.

b)      Due to the success of Phase I, the MoHUA has expanded the programme to 126 cities, with the goal of covering 28 lakh street vendors and their families, with a total target of 20 lakh plan sanctions for FY 2022-23. The remaining cities would be added to the programme over time.

c)       Since June 1, 2020, MoHUA has been implementing the Prime Minister Street Vendors AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi), a Central Sector Scheme. The scheme, which aims to provide a low-cost working capital loan to street vendors, has already reached the 30-lakh milestone.

d)      The initiative, as envisioned by the Honourable Prime Minister, aims to not only provide loans to street sellers, but also to help them develop holistically and economically. With this in mind, the ‘SVANidhi se Samriddhi’ programme was established to provide social security benefits to street sellers in order to promote their holistic development and socioeconomic upliftment.

Note: Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs: Hardeep Singh Puri; Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana; Pradhan Mantri Jeeban Jyoti Yojana; Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan Yojana,

 

3. World Bank and AIIB approves Rs 7,500 Cr Loan for Gujarat Govt’s ‘Mission School Of Excellence’ Project: The Government of Gujarat has launched a project named ‘Mission School of Excellence’, that aims to improve the quality of education in all the government and grant-in-aid schools in the state. The project will cover all 35,133 government and 5,847 grant-in-aid schools in the state. Under the project, the state government will spend Rs 10,000 crore in the next five years. To support the Gujarat Government, the World Bank and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) have approved a loan of Rs 7,500 crore for the ambitious project.

 

4. IAF Ties Up with IIT Madras to Develop Solutions to Maintain Weapon Systems: The Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras have signed a memorandum of understanding for technology development and finding indigenous solutions for the sustenance of various weapon systems. The joint partnership between IAF and IIT Madras aims to accelerate IAF’s indigenisation efforts for achieving ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’. IIT Madras in partnership with IAF will significantly contribute to indigenisation efforts by Base Repair Depots (BRDs) of Maintenance Command IAF, towards enhancing sustenance capability, obsolescence management and achieving ‘Self Reliance’. Under the MoU:

a)      IAF has identified key focus areas involving technology development and finding indigenous solutions towards the sustenance of various weapon systems. IIT Madras will provide consultancy duly supported by research for feasibility studies and prototype development.

b)      The MoU was signed by Air Commodore S Bahuja, Command Engineering Officer (Systems), Headquarters Maintenance Command, IAF and Professor HSN Murthy, Head of Department Aerospace Engineering IIT Madras, at Air Force Station, Tughlakabad, Delhi.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. 20th India-France Joint Staff Talks Took Place in Paris: The 20th edition of the India-France Joint Staff talks focused on new initiatives within the framework of the existing bilateral defence cooperation mechanism, as well as improving current defence engagements. The two-day talks took place in a nice, warm, and courteous setting in Paris. The Joint Staff Consultations between India and France are a forum intended to improve defence cooperation between the two countries through frequent talks at the operational and strategic levels.

Key Points of India-France Joint Staff Talks:

a)      The 20th edition of Joint Talks between India and France ended with the goal of actively enhancing defence cooperation.

b)      The two-day meetings focused on new projects that come under the existing bilateral defence cooperation umbrella, as well as the enhancement of ongoing defence engagements between the two countries.

c)       The India-France Joint Staff Forum was established with the goal of improving strategic and operational defence cooperation between the two countries.

d)      India and France have agreed on a blueprint for the blue economy and ocean governance.

e)      The 20th edition of the India-France Joint Talks took place in the midst of both countries signing a roadmap to improve bilateral blue economy exchanges, forge a common vision of ocean governance based on the rule of law, and collaborate on sustainable and resilient coastal and waterways infrastructure.

f)        The sides will strive toward ocean governance, particularly through coordination in relevant international organisations, to ensure the sustainable use of marine resources.

Note: India’s External Affairs Minister: Dr. S Jaishankar; Chief of the Army Staff: General Manoj Mukund Naravane.

 

2. World Heritage Day: 18th April: Every year on April 18, the United Nations commemorates World Heritage Day. The Day is observed to preserve the human heritage and recognize the efforts of the organizations working for it. Monuments and ancient buildings are an asset to the world. They make for the rich heritage of the nation. Since 1983, the International Council on Monuments and Sites has set a theme around which events are centred on the day. The theme for World Heritage Day 2022 is “Heritage and Climate”.

History of the day: The International Day for Monuments and Sites was proposed by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) on 18 April 1982 and approved by the General Assembly of UNESCO in 1983. The aim is to promote awareness about the diversity of cultural heritage of humanity, their vulnerability and the efforts required for their protection and conservation. Later in 1983, UNESCO adopted the idea during the 22nd General Conference. In order to restore and conserve historical cities, and dying ancient tribes, World Heritage Day is being observed. The day also sheds light on history.

Note: UNESCO formation: 4 November 1946; UNESCO Headquarters: Paris, France; UNESCO Director-General: Audrey Azoulay;

Headquarters of International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS): Paris, France; International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) Founded: 1965; President of International Council on Monuments and Sites: Toshiyuki Kono.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Orleans Masters 2022: Indian Shuttler Mithun Manjunath Won Silver: Indian shuttler Mithun Manjunath has won silver in Men’s Singles at the Orléans Masters 2022, a badminton tournament held from 29th March to 3rd April 2022 in Orleans, France. Playing in his maiden BWF final, the 79th ranked Indian shuttler lost 11-21, 19-21 to world number 32 Frenchman Toma Junior Popov at the Palais des Sports Arena. The women’s doubles pair of Ashwini Bhat and Shikha Gautam has won the bronze in the Women’s doubles at the tournament.

 

2. India will host Street Child Cricket World Cup in 2023: India is ready to host the Street Child Cricket World Cup in 2023. This world is organized by Street Child United and Save the Children India, the Street Child Cricket World Cup 2023 will welcome 22 teams from 16 countries to India next year. The Street Child Cricket World Cup 2023 will welcome 22 teams from 16 countries to India next year.

Countries that will participate this year are Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Burundi, England, Hungary, Mauritius, Mexico, Nepal, Rwanda, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe. In addition to the partnership between Street Child United and Save the Children the SCCWC 2023 will also collaborate with World Bank, ICC and the British High Commission.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. World Bank Slashes India’s GDP Growth Forecast for FY22-23 to 8 Percent: The World Bank has slashed the GDP growth forecast for India in FY2022/23 to 8 per cent in its bi-annual “South Asia Economic Focus” report, due to the negative impact of the war in Ukraine on FY23 growth. Earlier in January 2022, the growth forecast for FY23 was estimated at 8.7 per cent.

Reasons:

a)      The World Bank said a further escalation in the war in Ukraine could scare investors in emerging market securities and debt instruments and lead to a capital flight from South Asia to “safe havens” in the West.

b)      Foreign investors have already been exiting India’s financial market since October 2021, due to the impending monetary tightening by the US Federal Reserve. Recent developments in Eastern Europe have intensified the capital outflow, weakening the Indian rupee (INR).

c)       Maintaining macroeconomic stability through prudent and transparent policies will be important also if the Indian government turns to domestic borrowing.

 

2. Union Government crosses its asset monetization target for FY22: According to the evaluation made at a high-level review meeting, the central government has exceeded its asset monetization target of 88,000 crore for FY22 and has concluded agreements worth 96,000 crore. Roads, power, and coal and mineral mining are among the industries that have made significant contributions to asset monetisation. The Centre has set an asset monetisation target of over 1.6 trillion dollars for FY23, for which proposals from various ministries are in various stages of processing. Key Points:

a)      Prominent investors who purchased assets in FY22 include CPP Investments, Ontario Teachers Pension Plan, and Utilico Emerging Markets Trust Plc. At the time of publication, emails made to these investors evening had gone unanswered.

b)      When the final data are in, the total asset sale in FY22 could reach $1 trillion. Senior officials from the finance and infrastructure ministries, as well as the NITI Aayog, attended the meeting, which was headed by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

c)       Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman outlined the asset monetisation plan in her union budget for FY22 as a major financing alternative for developing new infrastructure assets.

d)      The strategy included a pipeline of assets totaling $6 trillion that would be monetised over a four-year period until FY25. As asset acquirers borrow loans and expand their operations, the government anticipates the asset sale completed in FY22 to result in additional $9 trillion in cumulative investments.

e)      The goal is to crowd in private infrastructure investments, which are a critical part of the government’s economic recovery strategy.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. New Zealand Cricket Awards 2022 announced: New Zealand announced awards for Men and Women’s cricketers. New Zealand speedster Trent Boult and White Ferns skipper Sophie Devine won the ‘T20 International Player of the Year’ in the recently announced New Zealand Cricket Awards 2022.

Other category awards announced are given below:

Women’s Super Smash Player of the Year: Amelia Kerr (Wellington Blaze)

Men’s Super Smash Player of the Year: Michael Bracewell (Wellington Firebirds)

Fan Moment of the Summer: Ross Taylor’s final wicket in his last Test

International Women’s ODI Player of the Year: Amelia Kerr (Wellington Blaze).

International Men’s ODI Player of the Year: Will Young (Central Stags).

Redpath Cup for first-class batting: Devon Conway (Wellington Firebirds).

Ruth Martin Cup for women’s domestic batting: Suzie Bates (Otago Sparks).

Winsor Cup for first-class bowling: Tim Southee (Northern Districts).

Phyl Blackler Cup for women’s domestic bowling: Eden Carson (Otago Sparks).

New Zealand Umpire of the Year: Chris Gaffaney.

 

2. Vice President Venkaiah Naidu presents International Gandhi Award for Leprosy, 2021: Vice President of India M. Venkaiah Naidu has presented the International Gandhi Awards for Leprosy, 2021 to Dr Bhushan Kumar of Chandigarh under the Indian nomination (individual) category and Sahyog Kushtha Yagna Trust, Gujarat under the institutional category. The award was given during a function in New Delhi on April 13, 2022. Sahyog Kushtha Yagna Trust and Dr. Bhushan Kumar have been working round the clock to raise awareness regarding leprosy and the care that can be provided to those afflicted with this disease. They have also been working to remove the social stigmas that are associated with this disease.

About the International Gandhi Awards for Leprosy award: The annual award has been instituted by Gandhi Memorial Leprosy Foundation to recognise the work of individuals and organisations who have worked tirelessly to fight this disease and the prejudices associated with it. The award commemorates the compassion that Gandhiji possessed and the service he rendered toward people afflicted with leprosy.