Daily GK Updates - 14th April, 2020

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Prime Minister announces extension of nationwide lockdown till 3rd may: Prime Minister addressed the nation about India’s fight against COVID-19. He announced extension of lockdown till 3rd May, and ease of certain restrictions in low risk areas from 20 April. The PM said that High Risk Areas and Hotspots will be under constant vigil. He sought support for seven things including taking care of elderly and adhering to social distancing and lockdown. Prime Minister said India has benefitted from Lockdown. He said notwithstanding the economic travails being faced, it is clearly the correct path as it protected so many lives in the country. The lockdown was initially implemented in India from 25th March 2020 and was scheduled to end on 14th April 2020.

2. AIM’s, NITI Aayog & NIC jointly launches “CollabCAD”: Atal Innovation Mission, NITI (National Institution for Transforming India) Aayog and National Informatics Centre (NIC) jointly launched CollabCAD in ATL (Atal Tinkering Lab) schools. The CollabCAD online tool was launched via social media by Shri R Ramanan, Mission Director Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog. i.AIM: The aim of this initiative is to provide a great platform to students of Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) across the country to create and modify 3D (3- Dimension) designs with free flow of creativity and imagination. This software would also enable students to create data across the network and concurrently access the same design data for storage and visualization. CollabCAD will be used around 5000 schools where Atal Tinkering Labs are established.

Note: NITI Aayog Headquarters: New Delhi; Chairperson: Narendra Modi; Chief Executive Officer (CEO): Amitabh Kant; Vice Chairperson: Rajiv Kumar.

NIC Headquarters: New Delhi; Director General: Neeta Verma.

3. Kerala becomes the first state to commence clinical trial plasma therapy treatment: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has given approval to Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST), Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, to commence clinical trial convalescent plasma therapy treatment. Therefore, Kerala becomes the first state in the country to start clinical trial plasma therapy treatment. SCTIMST, an institution of National Importance under the Union Department of Science and Technology, is expecting to start the trials by the end of April 2020, once the required approvals from the Drugs Controller of India & the Ethics committee are received.

Convalescent plasma therapy: The technique uses blood plasma of patients who have completely recovered from COVID- 19 as it will be rich in antibodies and some small studies have been done in China and the United States (US) where they had tried the plasma therapy technique. The project has been approved by the state government and five medical colleges– at Thiruvananthapuram, Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Thrissur and Kannur and an expert from COVID- 19 clinic in Kozhikode, Dr Anoop who will do the clinical follow up, will be participating in it.

Note: ICMR Headquarters: New Delhi; Director-General: Prof. Balram Bhargava.

Kerala Capital: Thiruvananthapuram; Chief Minister: Pinarayi Vijayan; Governor: Arif Mohammad Khan.

4. Control rooms set up to address wage related grievances: The Ministry of Labour and Employment has set up 20 control rooms to address wage related grievances arising in the backdrop of Covid-19. The control rooms have been set up on pan India basis under the Office of Chief Labour Commissioner and will be managed by the Labour Enforcement Officers, Assistant Labour commissioners, Regional Labour Commissioners, and Deputy Chief Labour Commissioners of the respective regions.

Note: Minister of State (I/C) for Labour and Employment: Santosh Kumar Gangwar.

5. AIIMS set up India’s 1st remote health monitoring system in Rishikesh: The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Rishikesh, in partner with BEL (Bharat Electronics Limited) has set up India’s 1st remote health monitoring system. The system is to be used in the state of Uttarakhand to monitor COVID-19 patients. The remote health monitoring system allows the doctors to monitor body temperature and oxygen of patients remotely.  A website and mobile application were also built as a part of the system. The patients can use these resources and inform doctors about their illness sitting at home. The system provides monitoring kits to patients when they are suspected of COVID-19. The system is currently being used in other parts of the world to monitor patients of hemodialysis.

Note: Headquarters of BEL: Bengaluru, Karnataka; MD & CEO of BEL:  M V Gowtama; BEL Established: 1954.

6. Science communication initiative “CovidGyan” launched: An initiative “CovidGyan” has been launched by Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), and Tata Memorial Centre (TMC). It is a multi-institutional, multi-lingual science communication initiative that has been launched to bring the scientific and factual aspects of COVID-19 pandemic outbreak on to public domain.

CovidGyan is a hub which gathers the collection of resources generated by public supported research institutions in India, in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. The content related to COVID-19 has been presented here in the best available scientific understanding of the disease and its transmission. The contents cover a range of details about COVID-19, such as the exact behaviour of the novel coronavirus, transmission dynamics of the Corona flu and its diagnostics. The primary aim of launching the multi-institutional, multi-lingual science communication initiative “CovidGyan” is to create awareness in the public and to bring in a holistic approach to the understanding of COVID-19 disease and potential measures to mitigate it.

7. Indian Actress Tamannaah Bhatia signed as brand ambassador for MPL: India’s largest mobile gaming platform, Mobile Premier League (MPL) has brought Tamannaah Bhatia of Baahubali fame, as its brand ambassador, to endorse their gaming platform. Recently, MPL also renewed its association with Indian Cricket Captain Virat Kohli for another one year. MPL currently has more than 35 million users, with over 40 games on the platform.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. OPEC and Russia agreed to cut crude oil production amid Coronavirus crisis: In view of the fall in crude prices due to the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), an intergovernmental organization of 13 nations, and allies including Russia — a group known as OPEC+, have agreed to cut crude production by 9.7 million barrels per day (bpd) from May 1,2020 and will extend through the end of June 2020.

The decision, agreed after four days of meeting, was following pressure from US President Donald Trump to arrest the price decline. This decision will reduce the worldwide supply of crude oil by 20% (or 20 million bpd). Global oil prices have come down below $ 30 a barrel due to falling disputes in Russia and Saudi Arabia during the Coronavirus epidemic.

Note: Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Headquarters– Vienna, Austria

Secretary General– Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo

2. World Bank releases “South Asia Economic Focus” report: World Bank has released a report titled “South Asia Economic Focus”. The report forecasts a sharp economic fall in each of the region’s eight countries. The cause of the sharp economic fall have been stated as the halting economic activity, collapsing trade as well as greater stress in the financial and banking sectors which is a result of COVID-19 outbreak. In its twice-a-year regional update, the bank said that South Asian governments must ramp up action to curb the health emergency, protect their people, especially the poorest and most vulnerable, and set the stage for fast economic recovery. The report states that the regional growth will get dropped to a range between 1.8% and 2.8% in 2020, down from 6.3% that was projected 6 months ago.

 Note: President of World Bank: David Robert Malpass; Headquarters: Washington, D.C., United States; Membership: 189 countries (IBRD); 173 countries (IDA); Founded: 1944

3. World Chagas Disease Day: 14 April: World Chagas Disease Day observed globally on 14 April. On 14 April 2020, the world community is to celebrate World Chagas Disease Day for the 1st time. The main aim of marking the day is to increase awareness of Chagas disease and to marked as a day to spread awareness about this “silent and silenced disease”.

Chagas Disease: A vector-borne disease caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi and transmitted by the faeces and urine of triatomine bugs, among other modes of transmission, Chagas disease is prevalent mainly among poor populations of Latin America and affects 6–7 million people.

Note: Headquarters of WHO: Geneva, Switzerland; Director General of WHO: Tedros Adhanom; WHO founded: 7 April 1948.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. India to Host the 2020 Asian Boxing Championships: India will host the 2020 edition of the Asian Boxing Championships, the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) announced. The national federation president Ajay Singh shared the news with the stakeholders during their review meeting while later taking to Twitter for the public announcement. It is learnt that the BFI was awarded the hosting rights in February for the event which is scheduled for the November-December window. Speaking to the Press Trust of India later, the BFI Executive Director R K Sacheti later said that the federation is yet to finalise on the host city, but they remained confident of organising the event at the end of the year.

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. Birupaksha Mishra becomes new Executive Director of Union Bank of India: Birupaksha Mishra becomes new Executive Director of Union Bank of India, after its amalgamation with Corporation Bank and Andhra Bank. Prior to this, Birupaksha Mishra was Executive Director at Corporation Bank. He started his banking career as a Probationary Officer in the year 1984. He has worked in various parts of the country and has handled Credit and Credit Monitoring Portfolio of the Bank and headed IT vertical of the Bank. Union Bank already has three executive directors- G S Gusain, Dinesh K Garg and Manas R Biswal.

Note: Union Bank of India Headquarters: Mumbai; MD and CEO- Rajkiran Rai G.

2. Yes Bank extends bancassurance tie-up with Max Life Insurance for 5 years: YES Bank has announced the extension of its strategic bancassurance relationship with the Max Life Insurance. The tie-up has been extended for 5-years in order to reaffirm their commitment to invest in building a digitally-enabled ecosystem, to offer customers a broad range of need-based products and services in order to provide a seamless experience for customers. Under the partnership, the products of the life insurer would be sold through the branches of Yes Bank. In this regard, the both companies dedicated the current financial year i.e. FY 2020-21 as the “Year of the Customer”.

Note: About Max Life Insurance Headquarters: New Delhi; Founder: Analjit Singh

OBITUARIES

11. Former Pakistani cricketer Zafar Sarfraz dies of coronavirus: Former Pakistani first-class cricketer Zafar Sarfraz became the first professional player in the country to die after contracting the novel coronavirus. The 50-year-old first fell ill earlier this month and was put on a ventilator at a hospital in Peshawar after his condition deteriorated.

2. Father of modern Iraqi architecture Rifat Chadirji passes away: Father of modern Iraqi architecture Rifat Chadirji passed away due to COVID-19. He was credited to design some of Iraq’s most valuable structures and iconic “Freedom Monument” in the now protest hub of Baghdad’s Tahrir Square. He was studied in London and returned to Iraq in the 1950s to design his magnum opus, elegant arch entitled “The Unknown Soldier” as well as the capital’s post office and other public buildings.

Daily GK Updates - 13th April, 2020

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. UPSCGuide e-learning portal launched: UPSCGuide e-learning platform has been launched to provide extremely affordable preparatory courses for coming session of UPSC prelims and mains examinations. Students just have to register on the website and have to make payment. To help the students of far flanged areas UPSCGuide e-learning platform has made all their courses available free of cost to the BPL category students and ward of armed forces belonging to J&K and North-East.

2. HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Launches web-portal YUKTI in New Delhi: The Union Minister for HRD Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal “Nishank” has launched a web-portal YUKTI in New Delhi on 12 April 2020. YUKTI stands for Young India Combating COVID with Knowledge, Technology and Innovation. The unique portal and dashboard aims to monitor and record the efforts and initiatives of MHRD which have been taken in the wake of COVID-19, to keep the academic community healthy, both physically & mentally. The portal will establish a two-way communication channel between the MHRD and the institutions (academic or research) so that the Ministry can provide the necessary support system to the institutions.

3. UP Government to work on 'Jaan Bhi, Jahan Bhi' formula: Uttar Pradesh government is working on the 'Jaan Bhi, Jahan Bhi' formula of union government. A shift in focus from 'Jaan hai to jahaan hai' (health is wealth) to 'Jaan bhi, jahaan bhi' (lies as well as livelihoods), is an indication towards relaxations for certain economic activities, including for industrial and agriculture sector. Ministers and senior officers of UP state government will resume their duties from 15th April with due importance to social distancing.

4. GMR Airports to develop & operate Bhogapuram International Airport: GMR Infrastructure has received "Letter of Award" (LoA) for the development and operations of greenfield international Bhogapuram International Airport in Andhra Pradesh. GMR Airports had emerged as the highest bidder for project on a public–private partnership basis. The proposed greenfield airport site is strategically located on the east coast and it stands to get benefit from the vast catchment area surrounding the region.

Note: Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh: YS Jagan Mohan Reddy; Governor of Andhra Pradesh: Biswa Bhusan Harichandan.

5. IIT Bombay Team Develops Digital Stethoscope ‘AyuSynk’ for remote auscultation: A team of researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology of Bombay (IIT-B) has developed a “digital stethoscope” for healthcare professionals to help them listen and record heart beats from a distance and hence minimise the risk of contracting the novel coronavirus from patients. The digital stethoscope device called AyuSynk has been developed by Ayu Devices, a startup of IIT Bombay. The IIT-B team has received a patent for the device. The device is being deployed for remote auscultation (listening to chest sounds). The sound is wirelessly sent to the doctor using Bluetooth, doing away with the need to go near to take readings.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. ADB increases COVID-19 response package to $20 billion from $6.5 bn: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has increased the size of its response to novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic to 20 billion dollars from its earlier size of 6.5 billion dollar. ADB has added 13.5 billion dollars in resources to help ADB’s developing member countries counter the severe macroeconomic and health impacts caused by COVID-19.

2. UNIDO & CUTS sign agreement to counter economic impact of COVID-19: United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Consumer Unity and Trust Society (CUTS) sign agreement to empower consumers to contribute to the global development agenda as well as support their respective governments in times of global crisis due to coronavirus. The MoU is valid for 5 years and the aim is to create joint technical co-operation initiatives to support ongoing activities in achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal (SDG). As per the MoU, CUTS will support e-commerce as a platform to accelerate Member States’ transition to the digital economy and adapt to the 4th Industrial Revolution.

Note: CUTS: Consumer Unity and Trust Society (CUTS) is an India-based institution and established in 1983, working to realize “consumer sovereignty within the framework of social justice, economic equality and environmental balance within and across borders”.

UNIDO Headquarters: Vienna, Austria; UNIDO Director General: LI Yong

Consumer Unity and Trust Society (CUTS) Headquarters: Jaipur, Rajasthan; Consumer Unity and Trust Society (CUTS) Secretary General: Pradeep S. Mehta.

3. Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan participates in G20 Extraordinary Energy Ministers’ virtual meeting: Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Steel, Dharmendra Pradhan participated in the G20 Extraordinary Energy Ministers’ virtual Meeting. The meeting was called by Saudi Arabia, in its capacity as the G20 Presidency, and chaired by Saudi Arabia Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz. The meeting was attended by Energy Ministers of G20 countries, guest countries and heads of international organizations including OPEC, IEA and IEF. The G20 Energy Ministers’ focused on ways and means to ensure stable energy markets, which are affected due to demand reduction as result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing surplus production -related matters.

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. Ministry of Finance extends deadline for mandatory minimum deposit in PPF, Sukanya Samriddhi Account by 3 Months till June 30: The Ministry of Finance has extended the deadline for mandatory minimum deposit in Public Provident Fund (PPF), Sukanya Samriddhi Account (SSA) and RDs (recurring deposits) for the financial year 2019-20 by three months due to the lockdown amid coronavirus outbreak. Now the account holders can deposit their savings up to June 30, which couldn’t be deposited in 2019-20 due to lockdown in the country. This relaxation will be applicable only for account holders of PPF, Sukanya Samriddhi Account (SSA) and Recurring Deposits (RDs). In order to keep these accounts active, the subscribers are required to make some specified deposit in a year otherwise penalty is charged over that.

2. People’s Bank of China now owns 1.01% stake in HDFC: The People’s Bank of China (PBOC), which is the Central Bank of China now owns 1.01% stake in the Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC). As per the data submitted by PBOC to BSE, it held 1.75 crore shares of HDFC during the quarter that ended in March 2020. However, PBOC already owned 0.8 percent earlier. As per norms, businesses are required to disclose shareholding of over 1 percent at the end of every quarter. The disclosure has been made now by PBOC because the ownership has hit the 1 percent regulatory threshold.

OBITUARIES

1. British Comedian Tim Brooke Taylor passes away: British Comedian and 'The Goodies' actor Tim Brooke Taylor (79 years) passes away due to novel coronavirus. Tim Brooke-Taylor’s career spanned more than six decades, and he also started his own broadcasting career on BBC radio later became a long-standing panellist on Radio 4’s I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue. The actor, writer and comedian was appointed as an Officer of the Order of British Empire (OBE) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for his services to entertainment.

2. Former Attorney General of India Ashok Desai passes away: Former Attorney General of India and senior advocate in Supreme Court, Ashok Desai passed away. He was 77. Desai held office as the Attorney General of India from July 9, 1996 to May 6, 1998. Before that, he was the Solicitor General of India from 18 December, 1989 to December 2, 1990. A doyen of the bar, Desai was awarded the Padma Bhushan award in 2001.

Daily GK Updates - 12th April, 2020

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. KVIC developed Double Layered Khadi Masks: Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has developed a double layered Khadi mask in order to curb the spread of COVID-19. The Double Layered Khadi Mask has been developed with the help of Double Twisted Khadi fabric that helps in retaining 70% of the moisture content inside and also allows an easy passage for the air to pass through. These masks can easily be reused, washable and biodegradable.

Note: Chairman of Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC): V.K. Saxena

2. Government to set up 20 lakh ‘Suraksha’ retail shops to provide daily essentials: The government has planned to set up a chain of 20 lakh retail shops called ‘Suraksha Stores’ across India. These stores will provide daily essentials to citizens while maintaining stringent safety norms in the wake of COVID-19. The Suraksha Stores initiative will convert the neighborhood Kirana stores into sanitized retail outlets selling daily essentials while adhering to safety norms such as social distancing and sanitization to control the spread of the novel coronavirus.

3. Indian Railways’ First ‘Walk Through Mass Sanitizing Tunnel’ Installed at Ahmedabad Railway Station: The Ahmedabad railway station at Kalupur has installed a Walk through Mass Sanitizing Tunnel, to ensure the safety of staff and passengers in view of the COVID-19. The Sanitizer Tunnel has been set up by Ahmedabad division of the Western Railway and is the first station on Indian Railways to get such tunnel.

Features of Walk Through Mass Sanitizing Tunnel: The overall length of the tunnel is 20 feet long which can be covered within 10 seconds. It is fitted with a sensor so that when a passenger approaches at the entrance of tunnel, it starts fogging automatically with WHO approved sanitizer. The tunnel can sanitize 25 to 30 persons per minute and consumes approximately 20 ml sanitizer per person. The system of the tunnel runs on the principle of Vaporization process which converts the sanitizer mixture into vapour which forms a uniform layer over the surface which dries up quickly.

Note: Chairman of Railway Board: Vinod Kumar Yadav; Headquarters of Indian Railway: New Delhi; Minister of Railway: Piyush Goyal.

4. Manipur govt starts new initiative ‘Food Bank’ to help the poor: Government of Manipur starts a new initiative titled ‘Food Bank’ in view of the threat of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). This initiative provides immediate aid within the sort of free food to the poor and needy who face scarcity of essential commodities due to the long statewide lockdown. Distribution of food items, hand sanitisers and face masks has already started to Drug Rehabilitation Centres and people living with HIV located in Imphal East District. Donation of essential food items to public will be made after proper verification.

Note: Manipur Chief Minister: N. Biren Singh; Governor of Manipur: Najma Heptulla.

5. Prasar Bharti launches new channel “DD Retro”: India’s Public service broadcaster Prasar Bharti has rolled out a new channel called DD Retro. The new channel “DD Retro” would be specifically dedicated to old classics of Doordarshan. The channel has been launched by Prasar Bharti in the wake of the covid-19 pandemic to keep viewers engaged.

Note: CEO of Prasar Bharati: Shashi S. Vempati.              

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Convicted killer of Bangladesh’s first president Abdul Majed hanged: The convicted killer of Bangladesh’s first President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was hanged immediately after midnight in Dhaka. The self-confessed fugitive and former army personnel Abdul Majed was arrested on 7th April from Mirpur area of Dhaka by the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit of Bangladesh. Abdul Majed was among the 12 former army personnel who were awarded death sentence in 1998 for the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975.

2. International Day of Human Space Flight: 12 April: The International Day of Human Space Flight is celebrated annually on April 12 to mark the anniversary of the first human space flight by Yuri Gagarin on April 12, 1961. The day was proclaimed at the 65th session of the United Nations General Assembly on April 7, 2011, a few days before the 50th anniversary of the flight. In Soviet Union, the day is observed as International Day of Aviation and Cosmonautics.

Note: Yuri Gagarin crewed the Vostok 1 space flight in 1961, making one orbit around the Earth over 108 minutes in the Vostok 3KA spacecraft launched by Vostok-K launch vehicle.

3. Prasad Adhikari appointed as Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank: Maha Prasad Adhikari has been appointed as the Governor of the Central bank of Nepal i.e. Nepal Rastra Bank. He has been appointed for a five-year term.

4. Apple acquires popular weather app Dark Sky: Apple acquired the popular weather app Dark Sky for an undisclosed amount. Dark Sky said no changes will be made to its iOS app, which costs $3.99. It will no longer be available to download for Android users. Service for Android subscribers will stay active until July 1, and then will shut down.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Bangladesh pacer Mohammad Sharif retires from all forms of cricket: Bangladesh pacer Mohammad Sharif, who last played an international match in 2007, announced his retirement from all forms of cricket, ending a 20-year-long illustrious domestic career. The 34-year-old had an amazing record in the first-class cricket. In 132 matches, he has bagged 393 wickets with an average of 28.03 including 15 five-wicket hauls. The right-arm bowler made his debut against Zimbabwe in an ODI fixture in 2001. He went on to play nine 50-over matches for the country and scalped 10 wickets.

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. Mahabaleshwara M S Reappointed as MD & CEO of Karnataka Bank for 3 Years: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved the reappointment of Mahabaleshwara M S as MD and CEO of private sector lender Karnataka Bank for a period of three years with effect from April 15, 2020. Mahabaleshwara took charge as MD & CEO of Karnataka Bank on April 12, 2017 and has over 29 years of banking experience both at administrative and operational levels. The regulator has also approved for reappointment of P Jayarama Bhat as Part Time (Non Executive) Chairman of the bank. He will hold office upto November 13, 2021 (i.e. upto the upper age limit of 70 years).

Note: Karnataka Bank Limited Headquarters: Mangalore, Karnataka.

2. RV Verma Appointed as Non-Executive Chairman of AU Small Finance Bank for 3 Years: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved the appointment of Raj Vikash (RV) Verma, former Chairman and Managing Director of National Housing Bank, as Non-Executive Chairman of AU Small Finance Bank for a period of one year with effect from April 8, 2020. Verma has been associated with AU Small Finance Bank since 2018 as an independent director. RBI has also approved the re-appointment of Sanjay Agarwal as Managing Director & CEO of the bank, while Uttam Tibrewal as Wholetime Director of AU Small Finance Bank for a period of three years with effect from April 19, 2020.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

1. World Bank Projects India’s GDP Growth at 1.5-2.8 pc in 2020-21: The World Bank has estimated India’s economy to grow 1.5 percent to 2.8 percent in the 2020-21 fiscal in its South Asia Economic Focus report, released on 12 April, 2020. This is the worst growth performance to be recorded by India since the 1991 liberalisation, as the coronavirus outbreak severely disrupts the economy. For 2019-20, India will grow 4.8 percent to 5 percent. Growth is expected to rebound to 5% in Fiscal 2021-22 as the impact of COVID-19 dissipates.

OBITUARIES

1. Legendary motor-racing driver Sir Stirling Moss passes away: The legendary motor-racing driver, Sir Stirling Moss (90 years) passed away. Moss was widely known as the greatest driver never to win the Formula One drivers’ world championship. The British driver took part in Formula One from 1951 to 1961 and made 67 starts in the F1 World Championship, claiming victory winning 16 races and claiming 16 pole positions and 24 podium positions. Sir Stirling Moss was named the BBC’s sports personality of the year in year 1961.

2. Legendary Chelsea goalkeeper Peter Bonetti passes away: Peter Bonetti (78 years), the former Chelsea and England goalkeeper passes away. He was known by the nickname “The Cat” for his outstanding reflexes and agility. He kept 208 clean sheets in 729 appearances for the London club over two spells from 1960-75 and 1977-79. Bonetti made seven appearances for England, including in the 1970 World Cup finals.

Daily GK Updates - 11th April, 2020

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Govt extends 7th Economic Census data collection period by six months till Sept 30, 2020: The government has extended the data collection period for the Seventh Economic Census by six months till 30th September 2020. Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation made this announcement. The ministry had put on hold various economic surveys including those to measure unemployment and domestic tourism besides a multiple indicator survey, till March 31 in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

2. National Safe Motherhood Day: April 11: National Safe Motherhood Day is observed on April 11 every year. National Safe Motherhood Day is an initiative of the White Ribbon Alliance India (WRAI), to enforce that women must have the availability and adequate access to care during pregnancy childbirth and postnatal services. At the request of WRAI, an alliance of 1800 organizations, in 2003, the Government of India declared April 11th, the anniversary of Kasturba Gandhi’s birth, as National Safe Motherhood Day. India is the 1st country in the world to have socially declared a National Safe Motherhood Day.

3. Indian railways designs mobile doctor booth called ‘CHARAK’ for zero-contact check-ups: The West Central Railway’s Coach Rehabilitation Workshop (CRWS) in Madhya Pradesh’s (MP) Bhopal city, has created a  mobile doctor booth called “CHARAK” to eliminate the possibility of physical contact between the doctor and the coronavirus (COVID-19) infected patient. A viral barrier chamber has been built in the railway compartment itself, through which doctors will be able to examine patients without direct physical contact. This system will prove to be very helpful as there is a shortage of PPE (Personal protective equipment) and medical staff at this time. The mobile booth can go to remote villages & can also be taken up to 500 meters by hand.

4. NIPER-Guwahati designs innovative 3D products to fight COVID-19: The National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research - Guwahati designed two products that will help in the fight against the outbreak of COVID-19.  The first one is a 3D-printed hands-free object that could be used to help open or close doors, windows, drawers. The second product is a 3D-printed antimicrobial face-shield to control the spread of coronavirus. The face shield is also easy to design and it is possible to have rapid development of prototypes.

5. Flipkart, Tata Consumer tie up to distribute, deliver essentials: E-commerce firm Flipkart and Tata Consumer Products Ltd have partnered to distribute essential food and beverage products to Indians. This will be made through a system where the latter’s distributors will list as marketplace sellers on the former’s platform. Consumers can use the Flipkart platform to buy different combo packs of essential products such as beverages (Tata Tea and Coffee) and food (Tata Sampann Spices, pulses and others) offered by Tata Consumer Products.

6. CSIR-NCL & BEL ink partnership to developed IR Thermometer and OEU: CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (NCL) Pune, Maharashtra has designed and developed Digital IR Thermometer and Oxygen Enrichment Unit (OEU) to assist within the mitigation of the Coronavirus outbreak. To speed-up, the project NCL has partnered with Bharat Electronics Ltd, Pune (BEL).

Note: National Chemical Laboratory established: 1950; National Chemical Laboratory location: Pune, Maharashtra.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. African Development Bank Group Launches $10 billion Response Facility to curb COVID-19: The African Development Bank has announced the creation of a COVID-19 Response Facility of upto USD 10 billion, to assist Continent’s member countries in fighting against the coronavirus pandemic. The fund includes:

$5.5 billion for operations in African Development Bank countries

$3.1 billion for sovereign and regional operations for countries under the African Development Fund, the bank’s arm that caters to fragile countries

$1.35 billion for private sector operations.

Earlier, in March 2020, the Bank launched a record-breaking $3 billion Fight COVID-19 Social Bond, the world’s largest US dollar-denominated social bond ever on the international capital market. Besides this, the Board of Directors had also approved a $2 million grant for the World Health Organization (WHO) for its efforts on the continent.

Note: African Development Bank headquarter- Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire

2. Raghuram Rajan appointed to the 12-member advisory group to IMF MD: Former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan has been appointed to a 12-member advisory group to International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva. Mr Rajan is currently working as a professor at the prestigious University of Chicago. The External Advisory Group will provide its perspectives from around the world on developments and policy issues to the exceptional challenges surrounding the global coronavirus pandemic and its economic impact.

3. Apple, Google join hands on 'contact tracing' technology to curb Covid-19: Apple and Google are joining hands to create technology that leverages smartphones for contact tracing activities for Covid-19. This will use the Bluetooth low energy technology built into modern-day smartphones. BY these governments and health agencies will be able to better identify individuals via a voluntary contract tracking mechanism. This announcement comes at a time when the world is struggling to contain the Coronavirus or COVID-19 pandemic.

4. Bharat Biotech, University of Wisconsin, FluGen tie up for COVID-19 vaccine: The University of Wisconsin Madison, vaccine companies FluGen and Bharat Biotech tie-up develop a vaccine against COVID-19 called CoroFlu. CoroFlu will build on the backbone of FluGen''s flu vaccine candidate known as M2SR. Based on an invention by UW-Madison virologists and FluGen co-founders Yoshihiro Kawaoka and Gabriele Neumann, M2SR is a self-limiting version of the influenza virus that induces an immune response against the flu.

Note: Headquarters of Bharat Biotech: Hyderabad,Telangana; Chairman and Managing Director of Bharat Biotech: Krishna M Ella.

5. India ranks high on “Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker”: The “Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker” has identified India’s response to Covid-19 as one of the most stringent in the world. This data are based on tracking 73 countries. This tracker is created by researchers from Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford. The tracker is designed to systematically record government responses worldwide and aggregate the scores into a common ‘Stringency Index’.

Note: Oxford University Headquarters: Oxford, United Kingdom.

The Oxford English Dictionary is the principal historical dictionary of the English language, published by Oxford University Press.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. India retains 108th slot at FIFA’s latest ranking: India football team retained its 108th spot in the latest FIFA rankings. Belgium and France retained their first and second positions respectively in the latest rankings. Brazil is on the third place followed by England. In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the whole raft of international fixtures including qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup and other major tournaments has been postponed.

Note: Headquarters of FIFA: Zürich, Switzerland; President of FIFA Gianni Infantino.

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. SIDBI Enhances Limit of SAFE Loans from Rs 50 Lakh to Rs 2 Crore: The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) had launched the initiative Sidbi Assistance to Facilitate Emergency (SAFE) in March 2020 to provide loans up to Rs 50 lakh to micro and small enterprises (MSEs) that are manufacturing medical supplies for fighting the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). SIDBI announced that it has raised the limit of SAFE loans from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 2 crore. Apart from this, SIDBI has launched a new product named SAFE Plus under which it will provide emergency working capital of up to Rs 1 crore (Rs 100 lakh) to small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) against their confirmed government orders. This loan will also be offered collateral free and disbursed within 48 hours at an interest rate of 5 percent.

2. RBI launches Twitter campaign to promote digital modes of payment: The Reserve Bank of India launched a twitter campaign urging bank customers to adopt digital modes of payment that are convenient and safe. RBI emphasised on transacting digitally as it gives the convenience of making payments anytime and anywhere. Through the campaign, RBI reiterated the multiple digital payment options such as NEFT, IMPS, UPI and BBPS that are available 24*7. The face of the campaign is Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan.

3. Flipkart inks partnership with ICICI Lombard to offer health plan for Covid-19: Flipkart Private Limited inks partnership with ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Limited & Go Digit General Insurance to launched two health insurance policies.

1. ‘Covid-19 Protection Cover’ by ICICI Lombard : It is priced at an annual premium of Rs 159. The product provides an instant Rs 25,000 benefit plan paid to the customer if he tests positive for Covid-19.

2. ‘Digit Illness Group Insurance’ offered by Digit Insurance: It allows consumers to avail a hospitalization cover up to a sum assured of Rs 1 lakh with an annual premium of Rs 511. Further, there is no limit on room rent or ICU. The policy covers 30-day pre and 60 days post hospitalization fee. Policyholders can also avail 1 per cent of the sum assured for ambulance services.

Note: Headquarters of ICICI Lombard: Mumbai, Maharashtra; MD & CEO of ICICI Lombard: Bhargav Dasgupta; Digit general insurance Headquarters: Bengaluru, Karnataka.

4. Jana Small Finance Bank rolls out digital banking platform- DigiGen: Jana Small Finance Bank has launched 'DigiGen', a digital banking platform where customers can digitally open a savings account and fixed deposit instantly; anytime, anywhere. DigiGen onboarding is a three-step process to open an account. True to its brand promise ‘paise ki kadar’, customers are eligible for 4.5 per cent interest rates on savings account and up to 7.5 per cent interest on fixed deposits.

Note: D and CEO of Jana Small Finance Bank: Ajay Kanwal.

5. Axis Bank receives govt approval to collect funds for PM CARES Fund: Axis Bank has received the mandate to collect donations for the PM CARES Fund. All contributions from individuals and corporates can be made to the account opened by Axis Bank.  All contributions to the fund are exempt under Section 80 (G). Contributions can be made to the PM Care Fund through State Bank of India (SBI), and ICICI Bank.

6. ACC approves extension of Bank Board Bureau members’ tenure by 2 years: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the extension of tenure of all members and the current part-time chairman of the Bank Board Bureau(BBB) by 2 years, which is coming to an end on April 11,2020. The former Secretary in the Department of Personnel and Training, Bhanu Pratap Sharma, will continue to hold the post of part-time member of the board.

Note: Headquarters of Banks Board Bureau: Mumbai, Maharashtra.

In February 2016, the government formed the Banks Board Bureau and was given the responsibility of deciding candidates for the top positions in public sector banks and financial institutions.

OBITUARIES

1. Padma Shri classical singer Shanti Hiranand Chawla passes away: Renowned Hindustani classical singer and Padma Shri awardee Shanti Hiranand Chawla passed away. The singer was trained in thumri, Dadra and ghazal singing by Begum Akhtar, and was world-renowned for keeping the legendary ghazal singer’s style alive in her performances, which she staged all across the world, including Lahore, Islamabad, Toronto, Boston, New York, and Washington. She has received numerous accolades, including the Padma Shri, which was awarded to her in 2007.

2. Former Zimbabwean cricketer Jackie du Preez passes away: The former Zimbabwean cricketer Jackie du Preez passed away. The leg-spinner played for South Africa in Zimbabwe’s pre-independence days. He played two Tests for South Africa in 1967. After he retired in 1979, he served his nation, Zimbabwe as a national selector in cricket.

Daily GK Updates - 10th April, 2020

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Government Approves Rs 15,000 crore for ‘India COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health System Preparedness Package’: Government of India (GoI) has sanctioned Rs.15000 crores for the project named ‘India COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health System Preparedness Package’ aimed at strengthening national and state healthcare systems amid coronavirus crisis. The four-year project is a 100 percent centrally funded package for states and Union Territories. From the total funds sanctioned, Rs.7774 crores will be utilized for immediate COVID-19 Emergency Response and rest for medium-term support (1-4 years) to be provided under mission mode approach. The project will be implemented in three phases from January 2020 to March 2024 in the following manner:

Phase 1: January 2020 to June 2020

Phase 2: July 2020 to March 2021

Phase 3: April 2021 to March 2024

Note: Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare: Harsh Vardhan.

2. Hindustan Unilever partners with UNICEF to support India’s fight against COVID-19: Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) collaborated with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to undertake a mass communication campaign and to inform and empower the general public against the current pandemic situation. Mass media campaign is titled as ‘#BreakTheChain’ / #VirusKiKadiTodo’ and is based on three key themes - Social Distancing, Handwashing and Generosity. The campaign will act as a communication tools that can help people change behaviours and stay safe.

Note: Executive Director of UNICEF: Henrietta H. Fore; Founded: 11 December 1946

3. Delhi Government Launches “Operation SHIELD” for Containment of COVID-19: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has announced the launch of an initiative called “Operation SHIELD” in the capital city to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. The Operation SHIELD will be implemented in 21 containment zones as a necessary action to protect the people of Delhi from COVID-19. Here SHIELD stands for:

S: Sealing of the immediate area/surroundings after geographical marking

H: Home quarantine of all the people living in the area

I: Isolation and tracing of people who have been first and second contacts

E: Essential supply of commodities is ensured

L: Local sanitisation of the area by authorities

D: Door-to-door health checks of everyone living in the area

Note: Chief Minister of Delhi: Arvind Kejriwal; Lieutenant Governor of Delhi: Anil Baijal.

4. MHRD launched Bharat Padhe Online campaign: Union Minister for Human Resource Development Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ has launched the 'Bharat Padhe Online' campaign in New Delhi. The campaign aimed for crowd sourcing of Ideas for Improving the Online Education ecosystem of India. A week-long campaign aims to invite all the best brains in India to share suggestions and solutions directly with the Ministry of Human Resource Development to overcome constraints of online education while promoting the available digital education platforms. Ideas can be shared on bharatpadheonline.mhrd@gmail.com and on twitter by using #BharatPadheOnline up to 16 April 2020. While using Twitter one must tag @HRDMinistry and @DrRPNishank so that the ideas can be notified to the Ministry.

Note: Minister for Human Resource Development: Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’.

5. Ladakh LG launches IT based applications to combat the current situation: Union territory Ladakh administration is taking the help of Information Technology enabled services in the fight against COVID-19 and containment of the spread. UT has launched app and web based platforms namely, connect.ladakh.gov.in and covid.ladakh.gov.in. National Analytical platform for Dealing with Intelligent Training, Tracking (NAADI App) developed by C-DAC has also been launched to public in quarantine with health tips and advisories.

6. Telangana launched India's first automated "COVID-19 Monitoring System App": Public Health and Family Welfare Department of Telangana deployed India's first automated "COVID-19 Monitoring System App" by Vera Smart Healthcare. This will identify patients, undertake live surveillance, track, monitor, and provide real-time analytics to the chief minister and the state health department. The system also empowers each health worker to handle 1,500+ phone calls, and simple chatbot conversations each day with a patient.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. ADB announced USD 2.2 billion to support India to combat coronavirus pandemic: Asian Development Bank (ADB) has announced that it is to fiund $2.2 billion (about Rs.16,500 crore) support to India in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. ADB is committed to supporting India's emergency needs. It aims to help the health sector of India and to help alleviate the economic impact of the pandemic on the poor. The fund will benefit informal workers, micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, and the financial sector of India. ADB has announced that is to meet India's needs by considering all financing option including emergency assistance, policy-based loans, and budget support to facilitate swift disbursement of ADB funds.

Note: ADB Formed on: 19 December 1966; Headquarters: Philippines; President: Masatsugu Asakawa; Membership: 68 countries

2. World Homeopathy Day: 10 April: The World Homeopathy Day is celebrated each year on April 10 to honor the birth of the father of the Homeopathy system of medicines Dr. Samuel Hahnemann. The theme of World Homoeopathy Day 2020 is “Linking research with education and clinical practice: Advancing scientific collaborations”. Homeopathy is one of the Medicine systems in the AYUSH Ministry – ‘Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy’. The way to heal in homeopathy is by the doctrine of 'similia similibus curantur' i.e likes are cured by likes.

Note: Minister of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH): Shripad Yesso Naik.

3. IIL partners with Griffith University of Australia to develop vaccine for coronavirus: Vaccine manufacturer Indian Immunologicals (IIL) partnered with Australia's Griffith University to do research and develop a vaccine for COVID-19. The two entities have signed a pact regarding this. Under the partnership Scientists from India and Australia will develop a 'live attenuated SARS–CoV-2 vaccine' using the latest codon deoptimization technology. The vaccine is expected to provide long-lasting protection with a single dose administration with an anticipated safety profile similar to other licensed vaccines for active immunization. Upon the completion of the research, the vaccine strain will be transferred to ILL. It will work with the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), to conduct clinical trials. IIL intends to use its Vero cell platform tech for mass production of the vaccine.

Note: Headquarters of Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL): Hyderabad, Telangana; Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL) founded: 1982; Chairman of Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL): Dilip Rath.

4. Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Mary Jordan Pens book on Melania Trump: Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Mary Jordan, who works for The Washington Post, has written an unauthorized biography of US first lady Melania Trump. The book titled “The Art of Her Deal: The Untold Story of Melania Trump” is based upon more than 100 interviews to present a surprising portrait of a determined immigrant and the life she had before she met Donald Trump. The book is scheduled to be released on June 16, 2020.

5. Google to launch new virtual Braille Keyboard: Google has announced the launch of a virtual Braille keyboard for Android users with low vision or blindness and enable these people to type on their phones without additional hardware. For the virtual Braille keyboard, Google has collaborated with braille developers and users to create it and also ensured that the keyboard can be used anywhere, where a user would normally type such as social media, text messaging, and email apps.

Note: Google CEO: Sundar Pichai; Headquarters: California, United States.

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. India’s GDP for FY21 projected at 4.8%: UN ESCAP 2020: A UN report titled The UN ‘Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) 2020: Towards sustainable economies’ has been released. The survey projected India’s GDP growth rate for FY21 at 4.8%. For FY20 it is predicted at 5%. And for FY22 it is predicted at 5.1%. Preliminary estimates by ESCAP suggest that the Asia-Pacific region's GDP could experience declines of 0.6-0.8% (valued at $132 billion to 172 billion).

2. Anamika Roy Rashtrawar Appointed as MD and CEO of IFFCO Tokio General Insurance: Anamika Roy Rashtrawar been appointed as the MD and CEO of IFFCO Tokio General Insurance with effect from March 27. She will suceed Warendra Sinha who was leading the company from past three years. She is the first woman MD and CEO of a large private sector general insurance company in India. IFFCO Tokio General Insurance is a joint venture between Indian Farmers Fertilizer Co-operative (IFFCO) and Tokio Marine Group.

OBITUARIES

1. Former Madhya Pradesh minister Hazarilal Raghuwanshi passes away: Former Madhya Pradesh minister Hazarilal Raghuwanshi (93 years) passes away. Raghuwanshi was a five-time MLA from the Assembly constituency and also served as a minister in various Congress-led governments in the state. The senior leader was elected as an MLA for the first time in 1977 and he also served as a deputy speaker in the MP Assembly from 2003-2008.

2. American folk singer John Prine passes away: American folk singer and song writer John Prine (73 years) has passes away due to the COVID-19 complications. He won two Grammy awards for best contemporary folk albums “The Missing Years (1991)” and “Fair & Square (2005)”. He was bestowed with Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and was also inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

3. BDJS secretary, TV Babu passes away: TV Babu (62 years), Secretary of the Kerala-based NDA ally BDJS, passes away. He was a Dalit leader and began his career as a Communist Party of India (CPI) leader in Anthikkad in Thrissur district and later he become General Secretary of the KPMS. He also served as village panchayat president and then he joined NDA. The Bharat Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS) is a constituent of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Kerala.