Daily GK Updates - 29th May, 2020

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. FM Sitharaman formally launches scheme for instant allotment of online PAN: In order to ease the process of allotment of PAN number, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, on 28 May 2020, officially launched the facility for instant online PAN allotment on furnishing Aadhaar details. Under this system, Permanent Account Number (PAN) shall be instantly allotted online on the basis of Aadhaar without filling up the detailed application form. The ‘beta version’ for instant allotment of PAN on trial basis was started on February 12, 2020 on the e-filing website of the Income-Tax Department. Only those applicants who have a valid Aadhaar number and a mobile number registered with Aadhaar can use this facility. The electronic PAN (e-PAN) will be issued to applicants free-of-cost. A 15-digit acknowledgement number will be generated and after successful allotment can download e-PAN.

2. R Sreelekha became the first women DGP of Kerela: R Sreelekha (1987 batch IPS officer) has been appointed as the first woman Director General of Police in Kerala as the Kerala government has appointed her as Fire and Rescue Services DGP. She is presently an Additional Director General of Police, heading the Prisons and Correctional Services Department. She is a recipient of President’s police medal. She became first woman Superintendent of Kerela Police in 1991. She has been named for being elevated at the post of DGP in 2017 but got the status of pending promotion due to fewer seats. She will retire from service in December this year.

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

3. Centre Renames CIPET as Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering & Technology: The government has recently renamed Central Institute of Plastics Engineering & Technology (CIPET) as Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering & Technology (CIPET). CIPET is a premier national institution under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Govt. of India. The new name has been registered under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act 1975 ( Tamil Nadu Act 27 of 1975). CIPET can now look after the growth of entire petrochemical sector with focus on Academics, Skilling, Technology Support and Research.

Note: CIPET Head office: Chennai.

Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers: DV Sadananda Gowda.

4. ADB and GoI signs $177 million loan for road construction in Maharashtra: The Asian Development Bank and the Government of India have signed a $177 million loan to upgrade the 450 km of state highways and major district roads in the state of Maharashtra. The road improvement project consists of improving 2 major district roads and 11 state highways having the combined length of 450 km. The project will also involve the strengthening of road safety measures with the development of a road safety audit framework that will led to the protection of vulnerable groups including the elderly, women, and children. It will also train the Maharashtra Public Works Department project staff to enhance their capacity in climate change adaptation and disaster resilient features in various aspects such as road design, road maintenance planning and road safety.

Note: Chief Minister of Maharashtra: Uddhav Thackeray; Governor: Bhagat Singh Koshyari.

President of Asian Development Bank: Masatsugu Asakawa; ADB headquarter Manilla, Philippine.

5. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman chairs 22nd Meeting of FSDC: The 22nd Meeting of the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) was chaired by the Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi. During the meeting, present global and domestic macro-economic situation was reviewed including the financial stability and vulnerabilities issues. They also reviewed major issues that are likely to be faced by banks as well as other financial institutions. Composition: RBI governor, chairpersons of SEBI, IRDA, PFRDA and finance ministry officials.

6. Labour minister inaugurates twitter handle for labour statistics: Labour and Employment Minister Santosh Kumar Gangwar has launched twitter handle @LabourDG for Labour Bureau to provide latest statistics for labour welfare. The handle will be a regular source of snapshot on Indian Labour Market Indicators that helps Government for formulation and implementation of policies. Labour Bureau has been collecting and disseminating information about wages, earnings, productivity, working and living conditions of labour with Index number.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Brazil’s Marcos Prado Troyjo Named as new President of NDB: The board of governors of the New Development Bank (NDB) has unanimously elected Marcos Prado Troyjo, former deputy economy minister of Brazil, as the new President of NDB. He will replace KV Kamath. Marcos is scheduled to take charge on July 7, 2020. The board of governors has also appointed India’s Anil Kishora as vice president of the NDB. Kishora has 38 years of experience at India’s largest bank, State Bank of India (SBI). The Board of Governors of the NDB held a Special Meeting in virtual format on May 27, 2020, in which finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman represented India.

Note: President of New Development Bank: K. V Kamath; Vice President and CRO of New Development Bank: Sarquis J. B. Sarquis. NDB Headquarter: Shanghai, China.

2. International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers: 29th May: The International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers is observed on May 29 annually to pay tribute to all the men and women who have served and continue to serve in United Nations peacekeeping operations for their high level of professionalism, dedication, and courage and to honor the memory of those who have lost their lives in the cause of peace. It was first observed on 29th May 1948 for deployment of UN military to Middle East. The theme for this year’s Day is “Women in Peacekeeping: A Key to Peace” to help mark the 20th anniversary of the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.

3. World Digestive Health Day: 29th May: Every year, the World Digestive Health Day (WDHD) is observed on 29 May. It is organised by the World Gastroenterology Organisation (WGO) in collaboration with the WGO Foundation (WGOF). Each year the day focuses upon a particular digestive disease and/or disorder in order to increase general public awareness of prevention, prevalence, diagnosis, management and treatment of the disease and/or disorder. The theme for the World Digestive Health Day 2020 campaign is “Gut Microbiome: A Global Perspective.” World Digestive Health Day was launched in 2004 to mark the 45th anniversary of the creation of the World Gastroenterology Organisation.

Note: WGO Headquarters: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States; WGO Founded: 1958.

4. International Everest Day: 29th May: International Everest Day is observed on 29 May every year. It was on this day in 1953 that Nepalese Tenzing Norgay and New Zealand’s Edmund Hillary had climbed the Mt. Everest, becoming the first humans to achieve the feat. The International Everest Day is held since 2008, when the legendary climber Hillary passed away.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. 36th National Games postponed indefinitely due to COVID-19: The 36th National Games, planned for October-November in Goa, was deferred indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Committee to convey a social event in September end and decide on fixing dates for National Games. Goa Government to require guidance from Union Sports Ministry, need four months notification ahead of time to compose games. The last edition of the Games was held in 2015 in Kerala.

Note: Indian Olympic Association President: Narinder Dhruv Batra; Indian Olympic Association Headquarters: New Delhi.

2. IOC appoints Narinder Batra as Olympic Channel Commission member: President of Indian Olympic Association (IOA), Narinder Batra has been appointed as a member of Olympic Channel Commission by International Olympic Committee (IOC). He had earlier served as the president of Hockey India (2014-2016) and Asian Hockey Federation (2003-2013). He also served as the treasurer of Delhi & District Cricket Association (2003-2013). The Olympic Channel Commission exhorts the IOC (International Olympic Committee) meeting, the IOC Executive Board, the IOC President and provides guidance throughout the launch and operation of the Olympic Channel. The commission advises the growth & development of the Olympic Channel from its initial launch phase through to its mature and established form.

Note: International Olympic Committee (IOC) Headquarters: Lausanne, Switzerland; IOC President: Thomas Bach.

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. SN Rajeswari appointed as the CMD of Oriental Insurance Company: SN Rajeswari has been selected as the Chairman and Managing Director of the Oriental Insurance Company (OIC) by Banks Board Bureau (BBB) for two years tenure. She will succeed AV Girija Kumar, who is retiring on 30 May 2020 on reaching 60. Rajeswari, a chartered accountant, is currently the second senior most General Manager and CFO of the public sector general insurance industry, New India Assurance (NIA) and will retire in May 2022. She had started her career as an insurer with United India Insurance Chennai and was later shifted to NIA as a deputy general manager.

Note: OIC Headquarters: New Delhi; OIC Founded: 12 September 1947.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

1. Leo Puri to take over as new Chairman of JP Morgan’s South & Southeast Asia region: Former chief executive at UTI Mutual Fund, Leo Puri, has been named as the next Chairman of JP Morgan for the South Asia and South East Asia region. He would succeed veteran banker Kalpana Morparia who would retire from the post by the end of the first quarter of 2021 after leading the US bank in India and the region for nearly 12 years. In another major top-level change, Murali Maiya will become the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of JP Morgan South and South East Asia.

Note: Chief Executive Officer of JP Morgan: Jamie Dimon.

2. Aiman Ezzat becomes new CEO of Capgemini Group: Aiman Ezzat has become the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of French technology major Capgemini Group and will replace the presently serving Paul Hermelin who will continue to serve as the Chairman of the Board. Aiman Ezzat was earlier serving as the Chief Operating Officer of the Capgemini Group and has also served as the Chief Financial Officer of the company in the past.

3. Thierry Delaporte appointed as new CEO and MD of Wipro Limited: IT major firm Wipro Limited has appointed Thierry Delaporte as it’s new Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director. He will take charge with effect from July 6, 2020. Before this appointment, Thierry Delaporte was the Chief Operating Officer of Capgemini Group and a member of its Group Executive Board. Mr. Delaporte will succeed company’s current CEO and MD Abidali Neemuchwala, who will relinquish his position as CEO and MD on June 1, 2020. Till then company’s Chairman Rishad Premji will oversee the day-to-day operations of the company until July 5.

Note: Chairman of Wipro Limited: Rishad Premji.

AWARDS AND HONOURS

1. South African Researcher Quarraisha Abdool Karim wins France’s Christophe Merieux Prize: A South African based researcher, Quarraisha Abdool Karim has been awarded one of France’s top science prizes, Christophe Merieux Prize for the year 2020. The half a million-euro ($551,000) award is presented every year by the Institut de France to support research into infectious diseases in developing countries. The 60-year-old Karim has been awarded for her research work where she founded that a topical gel could stop many women catching the virus. She is the head at the Durban-based Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA).

Note: President of South Africa: Cyril Ramaphosa; Currency: Rand

DEFENCE

1. Western Naval Command develops Ultraviolet Disinfection Facilities: Western Naval Command (Mumbai) has developed UV sanitisation bay to resume the work after lockdown. The UV bay will be used for decontamination of tools, clothes, and other items to control the spread of coronavirus. Large common room will be converted into a UV bay by fabrication of aluminium sheets electrical arrangements for UV-C lighting. The facility is placed at the entry/ exit points for mitigating transmission of COVID-19.

OBITUARIES

1. First Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh Ajit Jogi passes away: The first Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Ajit Jogi has passed away. A bureaucrat-turned politician, Ajit Jogi was a mass leader who dominated the state’s politics for long time. He was an MLA from Marwahi seat in the current assembly. He served as the first Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh from November 2000 to November 2003.

Note: Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh: Bhupesh Baghel; Governor: Sushri Anusuiya Uikey.

2. Rajya Sabha MP Veerendra Kumar passes away: Rajya Sabha MP and former Union Minister of State for Finance Veerendra Kumar (83 years) passes away. He was the leader of Loktantrik Janata Dal (LJD). He was also the MD of Mathrubhumi group of publications. He was elected as Lok Sabha member and since April 2016, he was a member of Rajya Sabha. He was associated with the Indian Newspaper Society as well as the Press Trust of India. He was honoured with Sahitya Akademi and Kerala Sahitya Academy award.

Daily GK Updates - 28th May, 2020

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Android version of Aarogya Setu App Becomes Open Source: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has made the Android version of the Aarogya Setu app as an open source on 26 May 2020. Opening the source to the developer community means that the developers and privacy & security experts will now be able to inspect the source code of the app and modify for changes. With this, Aarogya Setu becomes the first government product in the world to be made open source, as no other government product anywhere in the world has been open sourced at this scale. As per the Government data, 11.5 crore people have downloaded the app so far and 8 lakh people have done their self-assessment. The process of supporting the open-source development will be managed by National Informatics Centre (NIC). The source code of Aarogya Setu’s Android app has been published on GitHub. All developers and researchers can visit the following link to participate in review and collaboration programme: https://github.com/nic-delhi/AarogyaSetu_Android.git

2. SEBI imposes penalty of Rs 7 lakh on NHAI: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has been penalised with amount of Rs 7 lakh by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). SEBI has imposed the penalty on NHAI for delay in disclosing half yearly financial results between FY16 and FY19. The penalty has been imposed on the basis of SEBI’s listing obligation and disclosure norms (LODR) according to which half yearly results have to be filed within 45 days from the end of the half year.

Note: Chairman of Securities and Exchange Board of India: Ajay Tyagi; Headquarter: Mumbai.

Chairman of National Highways Authority of India: Sukhbir Singh Sandhu.

3. Flipkart Tie-up with Karnataka Mango Board to help farmers sell produce online: India’s leading E-commerce marketplace Flipkart has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Karnataka State Mango Department and Marketing Corporation, to enable mango farmers to sell their produce online through the Flipkart platform. The partnership will provide farmers with the much-needed market access to consumers and create a potential revenue stream. With this partnership, Flipkart is foraying into the Farmer Producer Organisation’s community further contributing to supporting the livelihood of mango growers and the farmer community in this difficult time of fighting with coronavirus. Consumers can place orders on Flipkart’s platform for several varieties of mangoes in batches of 3 kg. The varieties include Alphonso, Badami, Apoos, Banganpalli, Kesar, Neelam, Himam Pasand, Sendur and Mallika. Along with the Mango Board, Indian Post Offices would function as the last- mile delivery operation partners in this mango season.

Note: Flipkart established: October 2007; Headquarter of Flipkart: Bengaluru; Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Flipkart: Kalyan Krishnamurthy.

4. IIT Madras develops light-weight Magnesium Alloy to replace steel & aluminium in Automobile Industry: A team of researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM), along with the University of North Texas and US Army Research Laboratory, have developed a magnesium alloy with significantly improved properties, that can replace steel and aluminium in automotive and aerospace components to make vehicles more fuel efficient. This Magnesium alloy is lightweight, which helps lower the carbon footprint of vehicles. Lightweight vehicles need lesser fuel to run and are therefore more fuel-efficient.

Note: IIT Madras Director: Bhaskar Ramamurthi; IIT Madras Established: 1959.

5. Indian start-up VAMS Global makes world’s first contactless visitor management software: A Mumbai based startup, VAMS Global, has come up with the world’s first contactless Visitor Management Software, having various features such as temperature scanner and mask detection, without coming in contact. The software, called VAMS SafeGuard, follows no touch no queue visitors entry and can scan body temperature, detect mask on faces among other things, while following social distancing on the premises. It uses AI to allow entry of only those visitors who are complying to all the COVID protection measures. It reads, scans and record one person at a time from a distance of 18 inch in less than 3-5 seconds.

6. NCSTC launches COVID Katha in Hindi: National Council for Science & Technology Communication (NCSTC) along with Anamika Ray Memorial Trust has brought out the Hindi version of COVID Katha. COVID Katha is the Popular Multimedia Guide for Mass Awareness that carries information on A-to-Z of COVID-19 having Do’s & Don’ts, Scientoons, daily information, etc. It was already being released in English. The COVID Katha is being translated in the Khasi (Meghalaya), Tamil, Bengali and Assamese version.

7. Ladakh’s first solar lift irrigation plant inaugurated: Director of Animal, Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries Mohammad Raza has inaugurated the 1st Solar Lift Irrigation Plant of Kargil, Ladakh at Yak Breeding Farm. It has 5 KW Solar Plant and 3 HP Submersible Pump. This plant will solve the shortage of water to irrigate lands, drinking water issue making it carbon neutral and self-sufficient. The Pump is discharging 45,000 Litre water per day from Dawn to Desk and soon more such projects will be proposed.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen takes Oath for Her Second Four-year Term: Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen has won the country’s 2020 Presidential election for the second straight year. The 63-year-old President Tsai took the oath for her second four-year term. She is from the Democratic Progressive Party. Tsai won the election with majority vote of 74.9%, the highest among nationwide elections since 2008 as well as the highest vote share won by a DPP candidate in presidential elections ever.

Note: Currency: New Taiwan dollar; Capital of Taiwan: Taipei.

2. Saudi Arabia extends tourist visas for 3 months: Saudi Arabia has announced the extension of tourist visas, which expired during the lockdown, for a period of three months. The extension will be done automatically through the system without the need for the visa holder to visit the passport department. The service will be free of charge. Saudi Arabia has also announced relaxation in lockdown within a month.

Note: Currency of Saudi Arabia: Saudi riyal; Capital of Saudi Arabia: Riyadh

3. World Hunger Day: 28th May: World Hunger Day is observed globally on 28 May every year to raise awareness about more than 820 million people living in chronic hunger worldwide. The day was started in 2011 by The Hunger Project to raise awareness about the people living in chronic hunger worldwide and celebrate sustainable solutions to hunger and poverty and to inspire everyone to be a part of the solution. The Hunger Project is US based organization committed to the sustainable end of world hunger.

Note: Global Hunger Index 2019: India at 102 out of 117 countries, falls behind Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan.

4. International Day of Action for Women’s Health: 28th May: International Day of Action for Women’s Health is observed globally on May 28 every year every year since 1987 to promote the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) of all women all over the world. The day is being coordinated by the Women’s Global Network for Reproductive Rights (WGNRR). Every woman has a right to sexual and reproductive health and rights, no matter which part of the world she hails from, what age she is, or what her ethnicity or religion is.

Note: WGNRR Headquarters location: Amsterdam, Netherlands; WGNRR Founded: 1984.

5. JK Rowling releases her new work ‘The Ickabog’ online for free for Children during COVID-19: The “Harry Potter” author, J.K. Rowling has released her new children’s story “The Ickabog” which will be published online for free, for the children during this lockdown period. The Ickabog’ is a story about truth and the abuse of power. The first two chapters of “The Ickabog” was released on a new website on 26 May 2020. The author will post the chapters (two or three at a time) every weekend over the next seven weeks. Rowling has pledged to donate all royalties when the book is published to “groups who’ve been particularly impacted by the pandemic.” The whole book format will be made available in November 2020. The book is an original fairy tale and is available at http://theickabog.com/read-the-story.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Sri Lanka fast bowler Shehan Madushankar suspended: Fast bowler of Sri Lanka Shehan Madushanka has been suspended from all forms of cricket with immediate effect. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) took the decision of suspension after he was arrested for possessing heroin. Madushankar was the first contracted player of Srilanka who was remanded over a drug charge. He was caught with 2 grams of heroin in Pannala town.

Note: President of Sri Lanka: Gotabaya Rajapaksa; Prime Minister of Sri Lanka: Mahinda Rajapaksa; Capital of Sri Lanka: Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte; Currency of Sri Lanka:  Sri Lankan rupee.

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. NPCI Launches AI virtual assistant ‘PAi’ to create product awareness: The National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI) has launched an artificial intelligence (AI) based chatbot called PAi, to create awareness around its products like FASTag, RuPay, UPI, AePS on a real time basis. PAi is developed by Bengaluru based startup CoRover Private Limited. The AI virtual assistant, PAi will be available round the clock to provide accurate information on NPCI products. Customers can ask queries in English and Hindi, via text or voice on the websites of NPCI, RuPay, and UPI Chalega.

Note: Founder & CEO of CoRover: Ankush Sabharwal.

MD & CEO of National Payments Corporation of India: Dilip Asbe.

2. Government to withdraw RBI Bond scheme 2018: The government has announced to withdraw RBI bond or GoI Bonds scheme from 28th of May 2020 due to declining interest rates. The scheme is also known as 7.75% Savings (Taxable) Bonds scheme 2018 which is mostly subscribed by retail investors looking for safety of principal and regular income. These bonds are not available for NRIs. They are issued at par at ₹100 with min amount of ₹1,000. They are repayable at 7 yrs from the issue date with tax on the bond’s interest.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

1. RIL rolls out WhatsApp chatbot to address rights issue queries: Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) has launched a “WhatsApp chatbot” to address rights issue queries of its 2.6 million shareholders on the offering. With a task of executing massive Rs 53,125 crore rights issue amid a nationwide lockdown, RIL has turned to WhatsApp Chatbot which has been developed by Jio Haptik Technologies.

Note: Chairman & Managing Director of Reliance Industries Ltd: Mukesh D. Ambani.

2. Ola Electric acquires Etergo, to launch electric two-wheeler in 2021: Ola Electric Mobility Pvt Ltd, the electric vehicle arm of Ola, has acquired Amsterdam-based Etergo BV, manufacturer of electric scooters.  With this acquisition, Ola Electric will enter the premium electric two-wheeler market and look to manufacture these scooters. Still in the concept stage, Ola plans to bring these electric-scooters on Indian roads by the start of 2021, with manufacturing units set up in the country.

3. Fitch Ratings Projects India’s GDP at -5% in FY21: American credit rating agency Fitch ratings has drastically projects India’s economic growth forecast to contract 5 percent in the current fiscal year 2020-21 due to a prolonged lockdown. This means India’s GDP is estimated to be -5% in FY21. Earlier it had predicted the same at 0.8%. In its Global Economic Outlook, the rating agency has forecasted the GDP growth rate of the world and individual countries.

4. S&P forecasts Indian economy to contract 5% in FY21:  S&P Global Ratings has slashed India’s GDP growth rate to 5% in the Fiscal Year 2021. The reduction in the growth rates has been made due to slump in the economic activities in the whole country amid lockdown imposed to contain Covid-19 pandemic.

DEFENCE

1. IAF inducts Tejas Mk-1 FOC aircraft in Squadron “Flying Bullets”: Tejas Mk-1 FOC aircraft has been inducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) into the recently resurrected No 18 Squadron the “Flying Bullets” at Air Force Station Sulur. It is built under indigenous fighter aircraft program boosting ‘Make In India’ initiative. Tejas Mk-1 FOC is a single engine, light weight, highly agile and all weather multi role fighter aircraft. The aircraft is capable of air-to-air refueling and hence makes the Squadron the first in the IAF to induct this platform.

OBITUARIES

1. Padma Shri awardee, Urdu Writer Mujtaba Hussain passes away: Renowned Urdu satirist writer Mujtaba Hussain (87 years) passes away due to cardiac arrest. He was known for humorous Urdu writings in books and newspaper. He was honored with Padmashree in 2007. His work includes 'Japan Chalo Japan' and columns in Siasat. He was known as the Mark Twain of Urdu. The entire collection of his work can be accessed on www.mujtabahussain.com. He belongs to Hyderabad.

Daily GK Updates - 27th May, 2020

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Webinar on “Van Dhan Scheme: Learnings for post COVID-19”: The Department of Science and Technology, Government of Rajasthan has organized a webinar on “Van Dhan Scheme: Learnings for post COVID-19” in assciation with TRIFED, under the Know Your Scheme-Lecture Series. TRIFED has partnered with UNICEF to initiate “Van Dhan Samajik Doori Jagrookta Abhiyaan” under which tribals will be provided with relevant information regarding COVID-19 along with several guidelines, nationwide and state-specific webinars and instructions on safety measures to be followed. TRIFED has also assured revenue of Rs 20k to 30k per person per year through Van Dhan Value addition Scheme’s minimum support price. TRIFED is also looking towards launching ‘Tech for Tribals’ with IITs. IIMs, MSME to form an Entrepreneurship Skill Development Program.

2. MoRTH inaugurates 440 metre-long tunnel in Chamba under Chardham Project: Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the 440 metre-long tunnel, constructed below the busy town of Chamba, on Rishikesh-Dharasu road Highway(NH 94) as part of the Chardham Connectivity Project. The tunnel has been developed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). It will significantly reduce the time taken by travellers on the Rishikesh-Dharasu and Gangotri stretch of the Chardham Highway and also avoid congestion in the city of Chamba and open up avenues of socio-economic development in the region. The Rs 12,000 crore Chardham Project includes construction of National Highway with approximate length of 889 Km, to connect Gangotri, Kedarnath, Yamunotri and Badrinath. Of this BRO is constructing 250 Km of National Highways leading to holy shrine Gangotri and Badrinath.

Note: Minister of State in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways: V. K. Singh.

3. Rehabilitation package for Amphan hit West Bengal & Odisha: Rehabilitation package for the “Cyclone Amphan” hit West Bengal & Odisha was announced by the Government of India. As part of rehabilitation package, the financial assistance of Rs 1,000 crore for cyclone hit West Bengal, and Rs 500 crore for Odisha was announced for immediate relief activities in the two states. Along with financial assistance, an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of the dead, and Rs 50,000 for the injured was also announced.

Note: Chief Minister of Odisha: Naveen Patnaik; Governor: Ganeshi Lal.

Chief Minister of West Bengal: Mamata Banerjee; Governor: Jagdeep Dhankhar.

4. Power Finance Corporation inks MoU with NBPCL to fund projects worth Rs 22,000 crore for 225 MW hydro-electric projects & Multipurpose projects in Madhya Pradesh: The Power Finance Corporation (PFC), a central PSU under Ministry of Power and India’s leading NBFC has entered into an agreement with Narmada Basin Projects Company Ltd. (NBPCL), a wholly-owned company of Govt. of Madhya Pradesh, to fund projects worth Rs.22,000 crore for 225 MW hydro-electric projects & multipurpose projects in Madhya Pradesh. The funds will be used for setting up hydroelectric projects of 225 MW and power components of 12 major multipurpose projects in the state. Some of the major multipurpose projects to be financed under the MoU are Basaniya Multipurpose Project Dindori, Chinki Boras Multipurpose Project Narsinghpur Raisen Hoshangabad, Sakkar Pench Link Narsinghpur Chhindwara, Dudhi Project Chhindwara Hoshangabad, etc.

Note: Chairman & Managing Director of Power Finance Corporation: Rajeev Sharma.

Managing Director of Narmada Basin Projects Company Ltd.: I.C.P. Keshari.

Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh: Shivraj Singh Chouhan; Governor: Lal Ji Tandon.

5. NGMA commemorates 115th Birth Anniversary of Ramkinkar Baij: The National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) organised a virtual tour to commemorate the 115th Birth Anniversary of iconic artist Ramkinkar Baij. The virtual tour was titled as “Ramkinkar Baij | Journey through silent transformation and expressions” and was conducted in five different themes namely:Portrait, Life Study, Abstract & Structural Composition, Nature Study & Landscape, Sculptures. Ramkinkar Baij was the one of the most seminal artists of modern India. He was honoured with the Padma Bhushan Award by the Government of India in 1970, for his irrefutable contribution to Indian art.

Note: Director General of National Gallery of Modern Art: Adwaita Charan Gadanayak.

6. New species of fish discovered in Tamil Nadu: A new species of small freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae has been discovered in Velankanni in Tamil Nadu. It is a silver-hued fish and is of Puntius species that is locally termed as Paral’ in Kerala and ‘Kende’ in Tamil Nadu. It has characteristics of protractible mouth, a pair of maxillary barbels (a sensory organ near the snout), 24-25 lateral line scales and 10 pre-dorsal scales. This fish species belongs to freshwater and grows at 7 cm.

7. GIS-enabled dashboard CoAST India launched: GIS-enabled dashboard CoAST India (Collaboration/Covid Action Support Group) platform has been launched. It consists of India map reflecting the movement of migrants in real time to provide them with facilities and relief. It has been developed by India Observatory in collaboration with Anand-based Forest Ecological Security (FES) as nodal point. The map matches time and spatial data, on administrative facilities in the area, transportation and healthcare facilities

8. CSIR-IIIM & RIL to develop RT-LAMP based test for Coronavirus: CSIR ties up with Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) to develop RT-LAMP based COVID-19 diagnostic kit. Reverse Transcriptase-Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification (RT-LAMP) is a rapid (45-60min), accurate and cost-effective test that can be done with indigenous components with minimal expertise and instrumentation. It is a nucleic acid-based test that will be carried out from nasal or throat swab sample. It can be done in a basic lab set up like mobile units or kiosks.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Prem K Nair appointed as Indian Ambassador to Niger: Government of India has announced the appointment of Prem K Nair as Indian Ambassador to the Republic of Niger. Prem K Nair is currently serving as the Consul General of India to Hambantota. He will take over the position by replacing Rajesh Agarwal.

Note: Niger is a landlock country of West Africa which is named after the prominent river Niger.

Niger Capital: Niamey; Currency of Niger: West African CFA franc; President of Niger: Mahamadou Issoufou.

2. WFIRST Telescope of NASA renamed after ‘Mother of Hubble’ Nancy Grace Roman: US Space agency NASA has announced to name its next-generation space telescop, the Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST), currently under development, in honor of Nancy Grace Roman, NASA’s first chief astronomer, who paved the way for space telescopes focused on the broader universe. The WFIRST Telescope will now be called Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope (or Roman Space Telescope, for short). It is set to be launched in the mid-2020s. Dr. Nancy Roman is considered as the Mother of NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope, which was launched 30 years ago. It was because of Nancy Grace Roman’s leadership and vision that NASA became a pioneer in astrophysics and launched Hubble, the world’s most powerful and productive space telescope The Roman Space Telescope will investigate long-standing astronomical mysteries, such as the force behind the universe’s expansion, and search for distant planets beyond our solar system. It will be the successor to NASA’s Hubble and Webb Telescopes.

Note: The administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA): Jim Bridenstine; Headquarters of NASA: Washington D.C., United States.

3. WHO suspends clinical trail of HCQ on COVID-19 patients: Director General of World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus suspended the clinical trial of Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) on COVID-19 patients. The move came from the study that shows high mortality rate due to the use of HCQ alone or with macrolide. WHO in order to evaluate the safety and efficacy of drugs against Covid-19 intitated Solidarity trial that included HCQ. HCQ are effective for autoimmune diseases and will be suspended temporarily for COVID.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. WHO and IOC ties up to promote healthy living through sports: World Health Organization and International Olympic Committee signed an agreement to promote health through sport and physical activity. The concern come out in the wake of COVID-19 as it is affecting people with Non communicable diseases like diabetes, blood pressure, lung disease severely. The partnership will bring together the sports and health sectors at global, regional and national levels leaving healthy legacy and value of physical activity in host countries.

(1) The agreement that has been signed will focus on some of the key areas:

(2) To strengthen collaboration between Health ministry and sports ministry.

(3) To promote grassroots and community sports programmes.

(4) To strengthening the legacy of the Olympics and Paralympics.

(5) To advocacy for physical activity

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. LIC launches “PM Vaya Vandana Yojana” for senior citizens:  Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has announced the launch of modified Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana, a social security scheme for senior citizens. This plan starts from May 26 for three financial years up to March 31, 2023. The policy term is of 10 years and for policies sold during the first financial year up to March 31, 2021, the scheme will provide an assured rate of return of 7.40 per cent once a year payable monthly (which is like 7.66 per cent per annum) for the whole duration of 10 years.

Note: Head office of LIC: Mumbai, Maharashtra; Chairman of LIC: M R Kumar; LIC Established: 1 September 1956.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

1. Facebook launches its Audio-only Calling App ‘CatchUp’: The internal R&D group of Facebook, the NPE (New Product Experimentation) Team, has come up with a calling application called Catch-Up. This audio-only unique app has been developed to coordinate call timings with friends and family members and enables to set up group calls with up to 8 people. CatchUp won’t need a Facebook account to use the service and the app works with your phone’s contacts list.Through this app, user will get to know who all in their contact list are free to talk, and which contact is offline.The CatchUp app has currently been launched in the United States for testing purpose.

Note: Chief Executive Officer of Facebook: Mark Zuckerberg; Facebook Headquarters: California, US.

AWARDS AND HONOURS

1. Indian-American IBM scientist Rajiv Joshi wins Inventor of the Year Award: An Indian-American inventor Dr. Rajiv Joshi has bagged the prestigious Inventor of the Year award for the year 2020 for his pioneering work in advancing the electronic industry and improving artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. Dr Joshi works at the IBM Thomson Watson Research Center in New York. The $5,000.00 award is presented every year by the New York Intellectual Property Law Association (NYIPLA) in recognition of the contribution that the invention has and/or will make towards society as a whole.

Note: NYIPLA President: Colman B. Ragan; NYIPLA Established: March 7, 1922.

2. Major Suman Gawani Becomes first Indian peacekeeper to be honoured with UN Military Gender Advocate award: Major Suman Gawani, an Indian Army officer and woman peacekeeper who has served with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), has been selected for the prestigious United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award (2019). She is the first Indian peacekeeper to be given the UN Military Gender Advocate award, for her outstanding contribution to peacekeeping efforts in the UNMISS. Major Gawani, along with Brazilian Naval Officer Commander Carla Monteiro de Castro Araujo will receive the award by United Nations Secretary-General Guterres on May 29, the International Day of UN Peacekeepers.

Note: The UN Military Gender Advocate award was created in 2016 to honour the dedication and effort of individual military peacekeepers in promoting the UN principles on Women, Peace and Security in peace operations as nominated by Heads and Force Commanders of peace operations.

DEFENCE

1. Army Commanders’ Conference commences in New Delhi:  The Army Commanders’ Conference has commenced in New Delhi. It is an apex level biannual event that was earlier scheduled to be held in April 2020, but was postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic. The 1st phase of the conference is to be held from 27 May to 29 May 2020 and the second phase is expected to be held in June 2020. In the first phase of Army Commanders’ Conference, the apex level leadership of Indian Army will deliberate on various aspects pertaining to operational and administrative issues including studies pertaining to logistics and human resources.

OBITUARIES

1. Renowned vocalist Shyamala Bhave passes away: Classical musician Shyamala G. Bhave (79 years) passed away. She was well versed with Hindustani and Carnatic music and was the member of Karnataka Sangeeta Nrithya Academy (1997 to 2001). She is the music composer in India’s first Sanskrit serial titled ‘Kadambari’ and Adi Shankaracharya. She was honoured with ‘Ubhaya Gaana Vidushi’ and Karnataka Rajyotsava Award. She belongs to Bengaluru.

Daily GK Updates - 26th May, 2020

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.  Justice A K Sikri inaugurates Indian Dispute Resolution Centre: Former Supreme Court judge Justice, A K Sikri has inaugurated the Indian Dispute Resolution Centre (IDRC) in New Delhi through video conferencing. IDRC will provide a paperless dispute resolution environment through its sophisticated e-arbitration, e-meditation, and e-conciliation software portal with offline and online facilities. The arbitration panel of IDRC will have former judges of SC, HC, district courts, senior advocates, former bureaucrats, CA, architects, corporate leaders.

Note: Chairman of IDRC: Mehar S Rathi; Head Office of IDRC: New Delhi.

2. Indian Navy formed “NavRakshak” breathable PPE kit: Indian Navy has formed “NavRakshak” PPE kit with innovative breathable fabric material. This PPE kit provides comfort to healthcare workers working against COVID-19 pandemic wearing multi-layered coverall PPE treating patients within the hot and humid condition for quite 12 hours.

Note: Chief of Naval Staff: Admiral Karambir Singh.

3. REC Limited ties up with TajSATS to provide nutritious meals to frontline healthcare workers: REC Limited, a central PSU under Ministry of Power, has started a new mission to feed the medical staff in key government hospitals as well as poor daily wage labourers across the nation, through collaborative efforts. The REC Foundation, the CSR arm of REC Limited, has partnered with TajSATS to distribute specially-made nutritious meal packets for medical staff in Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi. Apart from this, REC in collaboration with various district authorities, NGOs and electricity distribution companies (DISCOMS) is already providing cooked meals and ration to the needy across the nation. 18,000 food packets will be delivered every day under this initiative. As of 24 May 2020, the corporation has distributed around 4.58 lacs Kilograms of food grains, 1.26 lac meal packets, 9600 litres of sanitizers, 3400 PPE kits and 83000 masks.

Note: REC Limited (formerly Rural Electrification Corporation Limited) is a Navratna NBFC focusing on Power Sector Financing and Development across India. It finances and promotes rural electrification projects across India. TajSATS is a joint venture of The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) and SATS Limited. It is India’s undisputed leader in airline catering with over 42 years of experience.

4. MP launches 'Everybody will get employment' scheme: Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurates 'Everybody will get employment' scheme through video conferencing. MNREGA job cards will be distributed to the labourers under this scheme. In this, migrant labours of the state will be employed in their village and gram Panchayat area itself with various employment oriented. A per the report, 35,45,000 have already been employed under MNREGA during Corona crisis with 42.2% women.

5. Uttar Pradesh Government to Introduce ‘Startups’ as a Subject in Colleges & Universities: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath led Uttar Pradesh government has planned to introduce ‘startups’as a subject in colleges and universities to have more young entrepreneurs in the state. This is an effort of the government to make the youths job providers and not just be job-seekers. The government is also set to introduce a new policy under which students in the final year of their graduate and post-graduate courses will get one-year study leave. Students can undertake internships during study leave, and will also get an allowance of Rs 2,500 per month during internship period

6. New domicile rules notified by Jammu and Kashmir Administration: Jammu and Kashmir Administration has come up with new set of domicile rules to undo injustice done for 70 years. The new rules are framed with the principle of equality and the norms of a healthy democracy. Under this, people belonging to West Pakistan, Valmikis, women marrying outside communities, non-registered Kashmiri migrants and displaced people will get domicile.

7. CeNS develops face mask for longer hours use: Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS) has developed a cup-shaped design (patent filed) comfortable mask. It has been transferred for mass production to a Bangalore based company. This mask causes no speech distortion, no fogging on glasses, and packs well all around, leaving practically no room for leakage while breathing. It has high breathability quality with triboelectric nature of the fabric and can be used for longer hours without any difficulty.

8. Salman Khan Launches his new Grooming & Personal Care Brand FRSH!: Bollywood actor Salman Khan has announced the launch of his own grooming and personal care brand named FRSH. The brand has been co-created by Scentials Beauty Care and Wellness Pvt. Ltd, a beauty brand co-founded by former tennis professional Mahesh Bhupathi. The first product launched under the brand is a sanitiser, considering the importance of hygiene and sanitisation during the coronavirus pandemic. Other products like deodorants, body wipes and perfumes will also be launched soon. These products can be purchased from http://frshworld.com. They will also be available at various stores across the country once the supply begins.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. India sets up military war game centre for Ugandan Defence forces: Indian Association in Uganda along with Indian Military training team sets up a military war game centre in Jinja district for Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF). The war game centre is named as 'INDIA'. It is a type of strategic game that simulates warfare realistically as opposed to abstract strategy games like chess. The state of the art military training facility was handover by the Indian Association Uganda (IAU), in association with the Indian Military Advisory and Training Team to the UPDF. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda inaugurated the war game centre INDIA. It has been constructed with an amount of 1 billion Ugandan Shillings ($265,000) funded by voluntary contributions from Ugandans of Indian origin.

2. World Steel Report released by World Steel Association: World Steel Report has been released by World Steel Association depicting 64 countries crude steel production. The crude steel output of India declined over 65% to 3.13 million tonnes (MT) during April 2020 according to the report of World Steel Association (WSA). India had produced 9.02 MT of crude steel in April 2019. Similarly, India saw 14% decline in steel output at 8.65 MT in March 2020 as compared with 10.04 MT in March 2019. At the same time, the global steel output also declined 13% to 137.09 MT in April 2020 as compared with 157.67 MT in April 2019. The nationwide lockdown imposed to prevent spread of the coronavirus pandemic has impacted the production, demand and supply of steel in India.

World Steel Association (WSA) headquarter- Brussels, Belgium

3. Israel's PM goes on trial for corruption: Benjamin Netanyahu will become the 1st serving Israeli prime minister to face criminal prosecution in a political witch-hunt case. His corruption trial will be held in a Jerusalem court by 3 judge panel. He was sworn as PM of Israel for 5th consecutive term. He is charged on bribery, fraud, and breach of trust charges in 3 cases involving gifts from millionaire friends and for allegedly seeking regulatory favours for media tycoons in return for favourable coverage.

4. US Navy successfully tests laser weapon that can destroy aircraft midflight: US Navy warship has successfully tested high direct energy laser weapon that can destroy aircraft mid-flight in Pacific Ocean. The laser weapons system demonstrator (LWSD) will provide defence against drones or armed small boats. It is an electromagnetic systems capable of converting chemical or electrical energy to radiated energy and focusing it on a target, resulting in physical damage that degrades, neutralizes, defeats, or destroys an adversarial capability.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Italy beat Serbia to win the inaugural UEFA eEURO 2020: Italy has won UEFA eEURO 2020, beating Serbia in the final to clinch the inaugural virtual European Championship. Italy emerged triumphant by defeating Serbia 3-1 in the best-of-five series. The UEFA EURO 2020 eTournament was the biggest ever national team efootball competition, featuring all 55 UEFA national associations. The virtual tournament was played exclusively on Konami’s efootball PES 2020 on Playstation 4. The format of the tournament was similar to the template for UEFA EURO 2020, involving a qualification phase and culminating in the final tournament.

2. US Tennis Star Jamie Hampton Announces Retirement:  American tennis player and former world number 24 Jamie Hampton has officially announced her retirement from professional tennis, bringing a sudden halt to her career. She last played an official match six years ago. The 30-year-old has suffered numerous injuries and surgeries in the last 5 years, after reaching a career-high ranking of World No.24 in July 2013.

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. Airtel group ties up with Mastercard for customized products for farmers, SMEs: Airtel Payments Bank (APBL) has partnered with Mastercard to develop customized products for the underbanked spectrum including farmers, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and retail customers. The collaboration aims at building a digital platform which provides farmers with knowledge about advanced farming techniques and connection to marketplaces, while simultaneously enabling them to receive payments directly in their Airtel Payments Bank account. The tie-up will bring together Mastercard’s global and local experience in developing advanced financial solutions and Airtel Payments Bank’s strong distribution network to reach the last mile and its large customer base.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

1. India’s GDP for FY21 to contract 5%: Crisil: The research and rating agency CRISIL has revised its forecast downwards again and expects Indian economy to contract 5 percent in fiscal 2020-21. This was 1.8 percent in last prediction. This means India’s GDP growth for FY21 has been estimated to be -5%. Extension in lockdown, higher economic costs and an economic package are the three basic reasons for the downward revision. It also said that the pre-Covid-19 gross domestic product (GDP) rate in India will not be possible for the next three fiscals.

OBITUARIES

1. Bollywood actor Mohit Baghel passes away: Actor Mohit Baghel, best known for playing Amar Chaudhary in superstar Salman Khan’s Ready, has died of cancer in his hometown Mathura, Uttar Pradesh. He was 26. He began his career with the comedy show “Chote Miyaan”. The actor has also appeared in Sidharth Malhotra and Parineeti Chopra starrer “Jabariya Jodi”. He had recently finished shooting another film with Sidharth Malhotra. He was also a part of the cast of the upcoming film “Bunty Aur Babli 2”.

2. Former Inter Milan coach Gigi Simoni passes away: Former coach of the Italian professional football club ‘Inter Milan’ Gigi Simoni has passed away at the age of 81. As a player, Simoni played as an attacking midfielder for Mantova, Napoli, Torino, Juventus, Brescia and Genoa from 1959-1974. In 1998, he received the Panchina d’Oro as the best Italian coach.