Daily GK Updates – 14th July, 2020

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Madhya Pradesh government to launch “Roko-Toko” campaign: Madhya Pradesh government will commence a unique campaign titled as “Roko-Toko”. With this campaign, the state government will target those people who do not wear masks. Under this, the state government will distribute masks to the people who do not wear masks in public places as the use of masks is mandatory in all public places in the state. The mask distribution will be carried out by the selected voluntary organizations shortlisted by district collector. Organizations will also be provided with 100 masks created under ‘Jeevan Shakti Yojana’ on credit.

Note: Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh: Shivraj Singh Chouhan; Governor: Anandiben Patel.

2. IIT Kanpur develops UV sanitizing device ‘SHUDH’ to disinfect room in 15 mins: A team of engineers at IIT Kanpur has developed an Ultraviolet (UV) sanitizing product named SHUDH, which is capable to disinfect a 10 sqft room in about 15 minutes. SHUDH stands for Smartphone operated Handy Ultraviolet Disinfection Helper. It has been jointly developed by J. Ramkumar, Amandeep Singh and Shivam Sachan. SHUDH has six UV lights of 15 Watts each that can be individually monitored from a distance and can be rotated up to 360 degrees. Users can use the number of lights based upon the size of the room. Simply by installing an Android application, user can remotely control the on-off, speed and location of the product using the available smartphone. It can also run with Bluetooth technology. The device will be useful for disinfecting places like hospitals, hotel, malls, offices, schools, etc. to prevent infection, without the need to touch the device.

Note: Director of IIT Kanpur: Prof. Abhay Karandikar

3. Ruskin Bond’s new book ‘A Song Of India’ to be released on 20 July, marking 70 Years of his Literary Journey: A new book by world renowned author Ruskin Bond, titled “A Song of India” is scheduled to hit the stands on July 20, to mark the 70th year of Mr Bond’s literary career. The book has been published by Puffin Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House India. The new book is the fourth instalment in his memoir series after “Looking for the Rainbow” (2017), “Till the Clouds Roll By” (2017) and “Coming Round the Mountain” (2019). In ‘A Song of India’, Ruskin Bond tells the story of his 16-year-old self and how he was struggling to begin his writing journey, before he became a successful author.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. United States remains India’s top trading partner for 2nd consecutive year in 2019-20: The United States has retained its position as India’s top trading partner for the second consecutive financial year in 2019-20. As per the data of the Ministry of Commerce, the bilateral trade between the US and India in 2019-20 stood at $88.75 billion as against $87.96 billion in 2018-19. In 2018-19, the US for the first time surpassed China to become India’s top trading partner. China was India’s top trading partner since 2013-14 till 2017-18 and before China, UAE was the largest trading nation in India. The bilateral trade between India and China dropped to $81.87 billion in 2019-20 from $87.08 billion in 2018-19.

Note: Union Minister of Commerce and Industry: Piyush Goyal.

2. United Nations organises 2020 Virtual Counter-Terrorism Week from 6-10 July 2020: The United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism organised its Virtual Counter-Terrorism Week 2020 from 6-10 July 2020. The theme of 2020 Counter-Terrorism Week was “Strategic and Practical Challenges of Countering Terrorism in a Global Pandemic Environment”. This was the second edition of the UN Counter-Terrorism Week while the first time that the event was held virtually due to covid-19 pandemic. Originally the second Counter-Terrorism Week was to take place from 29 June to 3 July 2020 at the UN Headquarters, New York, but due to the COVID-19 crisis the entire 2020 Counter-Terrorism Week was postponed.

3. Iran drops India from Chabahar Rail Project due to funding delay: Iran has dropped India from the Chabahar rail project, for the construction of railway line from Chabahar port to Zahedan, along the Iran-Afghanistan border. The reason that Iran gave for dropping India was delays from the Indian side in funding and starting the construction of the project. Iran has now decided to move ahead with the construction of Chabahar railway line to Zahedan on its own. For this $400 million will be sanctioned by the Iranian National Development Fund and the entire project will be completed by March 2022, without any assistance from India. India and Iran signed Chabahar rail project agreement in 2016. It must be noted that this decision has been taken by Iran at a time when it is seeking to finalise a 25-year economic and security partnership with China worth $400 billion.

Note: Iran capital: Tehran; Currency: Rial

4. China Successfully Launches High-throughput broadband communications satellite APSTAR-6D: On July 9, 2020, China successfully launched the APSTAR-6D satellite– a high-power broadband communications satellite into orbit, to provide broadband internet service. The APSTAR-6D telecommunication satellite was launched aboard a Long March 3B carrier rocket from Xichang Satellite Launch Center. APSTAR-6D is designed and manufactured by the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). The geostationary satellite, APSTAR-6D is the first satellite of China’s global, high-throughput broadband satellite communication system that will form a space-wide Internet communication network covering the whole world, similar to GPS. It will be operated by the APT Mobile SatCom Limited to provide satellite broadband telecommunication services for airborne, shipborne, vehicle-borne, and other mobile communication applications for users across the Asia-Pacific region.

Note: China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp Headquarters: Beijing, China; China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp President: Xu Qiang.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Hemang Amin appointed interim CEO of BCCI: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has appointed Hemang Amin as the interim chief executive officer (CEO) of the Indian cricket board. This appointment comes after BCCI accepted the resignation of Rahul Johri as the BCCI CEO recently.  Hemang Amin is presently serving as the Chief Operating Officer of the Indian Premier League since 2015 and joined IPL operations team in June 2010. The BCCI is expected to get a new CEO in the next two months.

Note: BCCI President: Sourav Ganguly

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. Visa partners Federal Bank to launch “Visa Secure”:  Visa, a global leader in payments technology has tied-up with Federal Bank to launch “Visa Secure” to the bank’s cardholders. “Visa Secure” is a modernized technology that provides a quicker and frictionless checkout experience to the consumers. Adoption of new improved technology will enable the bank to focus on customer-centric digital solutions that make online shopping experiences seamless. It is built on EMVCo 3DS (3D Secure) 2.0 protocol offering additional layers of authentication for issuers and merchants for secure e-commerce

Note: MD & CEO of Federal Bank Ltd: Shyam Srinivasan.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

1. FICCI survey predicts India’s GDP to contract by 4.5% in FY21: Industry body FICCI has projected the Indian economy to contract by (-) 4.5 percent in 2020-21, as per its latest Economic Outlook Survey released on 12 July 2020. The minimum and maximum GDP growth estimate stood at (-) 6.4 percent and 1.5 percent, respectively, for FY21. The downward revision is due to the halt in economic activities amid the Covid-19 pandemic and the lockdown.

2. Qualcomm Ventures becomes 12th Investor in Jio Platforms; Invests Rs 730 crore to acquire 0.15% stake: Qualcomm Ventures, the investment arm of US-based wireless technology company Qualcomm Incorporated has invested Rs 730 crore in ‘Jio Platforms’ for a 0.15 % stake in the company. Qualcomm Ventures is the 12th investor to buy a stake in Jio Platforms. Qualcomm’s investment marks the 13th investment in Jio platforms. With this, the total investments by foreign investors in Jio Platforms comes up to Rs 1,18,318.45 crore and the total combined stake of these investors reaches 25.24 %. List of all Investors and Investments of Jio Platforms:

Date	Company	Investment (crore)	Stake (percent)
22-Apr	Facebook	Rs 43,573.62	9.99
04-May	Silver Lake	Rs 5,655.75	1.15
08-May	Vista	Rs 11,367	2.32
17-May	General Atlantic	Rs 6,598.38	1.34
22-May	KKR	Rs 11,367	2.32
05-Jun	Mubadala	Rs 9,093.60	1.85
05-Jun	Silver Lake	Rs 4,546.80	0.93
07-Jun	ADIA	Rs 5,683.50	1.16
13-Jun	TPG	Rs 4,546.80	0.93
13-Jun	L Catterton	Rs 1,894.50	0.39
18-Jun	PIF	Rs 11,367	2.32
02-Jul	Intel Capital	Rs 1,894.50	0.39
12-Jul	Qualcomm	Rs 730	0.15

Note: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Qualcomm: Steve Mollenkopf.

AWARDS AND HONOURS

1. ISRO Chief K Sivan named for Von Karman Award 2020: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chief, Kailasavadivoo Sivan has named for Von Karman Award 2020 by the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA). The Von Karman Award is known as the highest distinction of the IAA. Dr K. Sivan is going to receive an award in March 2021 at Paris France. Prior to K Sivan, only two Indians have been the recipients of this award. They were Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan and U.R. Rao. The Von Karman award was established in 1982 and is the premier award of the Academy. It is given annually to recognize outstanding lifetime achievements in any branch of science without limit of nationality or gender. The award is named after Theodore von Karman who was an aerospace engineer and notably known for his key advances in aerodynamics.

Note: International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) Founder: Dr Theodore Von Karman; International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) Headquarters: Paris, France.

2. Chhattisgarh awarded “Elites Excellence Awards 2020”: Chief Minister Darpan website and mobile app prepared for monitoring Chhattisgarh Government’s ambitious Suraji Gaon Scheme and other flagship schemes, has been awarded “Elites Excellence Awards-2020” at the national level. Chhattisgarh has been awarded this honour by the country’s prestigious IT institution Elites Technomedia, New Delhi under the ‘Digital India initiative’.

About Chief Minister Darpan website and mobile app: The purpose of this website and mobile app is to directly monitor the flagship schemes of the Chhattisgarh Government from the Chief Minister’s Secretariat and provide real-time information to the common citizens. Solutions to problems will also be provided by this portal. The biggest feature of the Chief Minister Darpan portal and mobile app is that we are moving towards no paper and real-time monitoring.

Note: CM of Chhattisgarh: Bhupesh Baghel; Governor of Chhattisgarh: Anusuiya Uikey.

3. CM K Palaniswami honours with Paul Harris Fellow Recognition:  Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister, Edappadi K Palaniswami has honoured with Paul Harris Fellow recognition by Rotary Foundation of Rotary International, Chicago. The person recognised as the fellow will receive a certificate along with a lapel pin. They are also eligible to buy a Paul Harris Fellow medallion. In this recognition, $1,000 gift is being made in the name of honoured person to the Rotary International Foundation providing money for health, education, peace initiatives projects in over 200 countries where Rotary has members.

Note: Governor of Tamil Nadu: Banwarilal Purohit.

President of Rotary International: Holger Knaack; Rotary Foundation of Rotary International HQs: Chicago

OBITUARIES

1. Renowned Journalist-writer Nagindas Sanghvi passes away: Veteran Gujarati journalist, columnist, writer and political critic Nagindas Sanghvi has passed away in Surat. He was 100. Sangvi was conferred Padma Shri award in the year 2019. He had written many books on Mahatma Gandhi, Gujarat and other subjects. Besides writing in Gujarati language, Sangvi also wrote in English and Hindi languages.

2. Famous Indian ceramist Jyotsna Bhatt passes away: Famous Indian ceramist and potter Jyotsna Bhatt (80 years) passes away. She was India’s best-known ceramic artists and have experimented with stoneware, terracotta and countless possibilities that ceramics offered. She enrolled to study sculpture at MS University in Baroda in 1958 and Brooklyn Museum Art School in mid-’60s She was also a faculty member at MS University from 1972, retiring as the head of Dept of Ceramics in 2002.

Daily GK Updates – 13th July, 2020

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. NITI Aayog Atal Innovation Mission launches ATL App Development Module for school children: The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) of NITI Aayog has launched the ATL App Development Module for school children across the country, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of AtmaNirbhar Bharat. The ATL App is an online course by AIM and is completely free. The innovative course will have six project-based learning modules and online mentoring sessions to enable the young innovators learn how to build mobile apps in various Indian languages and showcase their talent. The course has been jointly developed by AIM and Indian startup, Plezmo. Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) is also seeking to train school teachers in order to build capacities and acumen for App Development.

Note: Chief Executive Officer of Plezmo: Amol Palshikar.

CEO of NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India): Amitabh Kant.

2. Chhattisgarh Government organises India’s first e-Lok Adalat: Chhattisgarh government has organized the first e-Lok Adalat of India amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The “e-Lok Adalat” was organized by the High Court and Chhattisgarh State Legal Services Authority and was inaugurated by P R Ramchandra Menon, the Chief Justice of Chhattisgarh High Court. The “e-Lok Adalat” was organized in order to bring relief to people and to reduce the pendency of cases amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Its virtual hearings were conducted along with live streaming.

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

3. Indian Railways to become "Green Railway" by 2030 on mission mode: Railway Minister Piyush Goyal has said that Indian Railways will be the largest Railway in the world to have 100 per cent electrification replacing diesel at the India Global Week-2020. It will be the world’s first Green Railways running on 100 per cent clean energy by 2030. The government has opened up for bidding for additional 151 trains inviting private participation so the passengers can enjoy world-class facilities and high speed journeys. It has already taken several major initiatives for net zero carbon emission. Railway Electrification, improving energy efficiency of locomotives & trains and fixed installations, green certification for installations/stations, fitting bio toilets in coaches and switching to renewable energy sources are parts of its strategy of achieving the status of green railways.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. WHO sets up independent panel to review its handling of COVID-19 pandemic: The World Health Organization (WHO) has set up an independent panel to review its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the response by governments. The panel will be co-chaired by former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark and former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. The co-chairs will select the other members. The decision to form the panel has been taken by WHO following strong criticism by US President Donald Trump, which accused the WHO of being China-centric. The panel will provide an interim report to an annual meeting of health ministers in November and present a substantive report in May 2021.

2. India becomes second-largest source of FDI in United Kingdom: Based on the latest figures, released by the government of United Kingdom, India has moved up one place to become the second-largest source of foreign direct investment (FDI) in UK in the financial year 2019-20. It was the third largest FDI source in 2018-29. United States remained the top source of FDI for UK in 2019-20. The top five largest source of FDI in UK included US, India, Germany, France and China and Hong Kong. India invested in 120 projects and created 5,429 new jobs in UK, as per the inward investment statistics for 2019-2020 by the Department for International Trade (DIT). US delivered 462 projects and 20,131 jobs. With 1,852 new inward investment projects in 2019-20, the overall FDI for the UK increased by 4 percent in FY20 compared to 2018-2019.

3. Indian-American Scientist Appointed Acting Head of Top US Agriculture Research Organisation: Prominent Indian-American scientist Dr Parag Chitnis has been appointed as the Acting Director of the prestigious National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), which drives all federally funded agricultural research in the US. Chitnis was named Associate Director for Programmes earlier this year and leads implementation of NIFA’s approximately USD 1.7 billion research projects. In his new position, Parag Chitnis will replace Dr Scott Angle, who has accepted the position of Vice President of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Florida in Gainesville.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Mercedes’s Lewis Hamilton won Styrian Grand Prix 2020: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-Great Britain) has won the Styrian Grand Prix 2020, held on 12 July 2020 in Spielberg, Austria. It was the second race of the 2020 Formula One World Championship and the first running of the Styrian Grand Prix. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes-Finland) finished second while Max Verstappen (Red Bull- Belgium) was third.

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. IRDAI allows launch of ‘Corona Kavach’ insurance policies: Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has approved the General and Health Insurance companies to launch short-term ‘Corona Kavach’ health insurance policies. The short-term “Corona Kavach” health insurance policy will cover medical expenses occurred due to coronavirus disease. The policy will also provide for any co-morbid condition caused due to COVID-19 during the period of hospitalization. About the Corona Kavach policy: (1) IRDAI has designed a standard Covid specific product which addresses the basic health insurance requirements of insuring public containing common policy wordings across the industry. (2) The sum insured amount of the policy ranges from Rs 50,000 to Rs 5,00,000. (3) Person between the age of 18 to 65 years can avail the benefits of the policy. (4) People will be able to avail the Corona Kavach policy for Self, spouse, parents, parents-in-law as well as dependent children up to 25 years of age.

Note: Chairman of Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India: Subhash C. Khuntia.

2. Income Tax Dept launches tool for Banks and Post offices: Income Tax Department has facilitated a new tool for Banks and Post offices to determine TDS applicability rates on cash withdrawals beyond a particular threshold. It is ascertained on cash withdrawals of more than Rs 20 lakh in case of a non-filer of the income-tax return and that of above 1 crore in case of a filer of the I-T return. Only PAN of the person is required for ascertaining the rates of TDS. Finance Act 2020 also amended Income-tax Act for withdrawal limits.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

1. Google Plans to Invest Rs 75,000 crore in India in next 5-7 years to boost Digital India: Technology giant Google will invest Rs. 75,000 crore (around $10 billion), in India over the next 5-7 years to boost India’s digital economy. This announcement was made by Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai at the sixth edition of ‘Google for India’ virtual event on 13 July 2020. The main focus of the Investments will be on four key areas: (1) Enabling affordable access and information to every Indian in their own language; (2) Building new products and services relevant to India’s unique needs; (3) Empowering businesses as they continue to embark in digital transformation; (4) Leveraging technology and Artificial Intelligence for social good in areas like healthcare, education and agriculture.

The dedicated ‘Google for India Digitisation Fund’, will be deployed for this purpose. The investments will be made through a mix of equity investments, partnerships, and operational, infrastructure and ecosystem investments.

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

AWARDS AND HONOURS

1. NTPC Limited wins prestigious CII-ITC Sustainability Award 2019: The centrally-owned, National Thermal Power Corporation, (NTPC) Limited, under the Ministry of Power has won the prestigious CII-ITC Sustainability Award 2019, under Outstanding Accomplishment in Corporate Excellence Category. The company has also received Commendation for Significant Achievement in the category of CSR in the 15th CII-ITC Sustainability Award. NTPC has been rewarded for its sustainability practices such as Girl Empowerment Mission (GEM) to benefit school going girls from underprivileged background to support in their overall development; Contractors’ Labour Information Management System (CLIMS) through which payment to contract labourers are being paid on the last day of the month at project sites. The CII-ITC Sustainability Awards recognise and reward excellence in businesses that are seeking ways to be more sustainable and inclusive in their business.

Note: NTPC is a Central PSU under Ministry of Power; NTPC's MD: Gurdeep Singh

OBITUARIES

1. Renowned Gujarati Cartoonist Avad Bin Hassan Jami passes away: One of the most senior and popular cartoonist of Gujarat, Avad Bin Hassan Jami, has passed away in Jamnagar. He was 77. He was popularly known as “Jami”. His cartoons were regularly published in leading Gujarati daily newspapers and news magazines for more than two decades. Mr. Jami was a drawing teacher at Kendriya Vidyalaya, Jamnagar and became a full time cartoonist after retirement. He began to draw cartoons for the first time in magazine ‘Rangtarang’. His cartoons questioned authority, spoke sarcastically about hypocrisy, society and politics.

2. TV Actor Rajan Sehgal passes away: Famous Film and TV actor Ranjan Sehgal (36 years) passes away in Chandigarh due to multiple organ failure. He worked in several TV shows such as ‘Savdhan India’ and ‘Crime Patrol’ and acted in Punjabi (Yaaran Da Katchup, Aatishbaazi Ishq, Mahi NRI) as well as Hindi movies. He was featured in Bollywood films Sarbjit along with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Randeep Hooda starer in 2016. His TV shows include Color’s Rishton Se Badi Pratha, Tum Dena Saath Mera and Gustakh Dil.

Daily GK Updates – 12th July, 2020

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. NITI Aayog presents Voluntary National Review 2020 report: India’s second Voluntary National Review (VNR) report has been presented by the NITI Aayog at the United Nations High-level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development, 2020. The VNR 2020 report has been titled as “Decade of Action: Taking SDGs from Global to Local” and it accounts for the adoption and implementation of the 2030 Agenda in India. The VNR is a critical component which reviews the progress and implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs. NITI Aayog has been authorized to examine the adoption as well as monitoring of SDGs at the national and sub-national level. The High-level Political Forum (HLPF) is the foremost international platform to follow-up and review the progress on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is organised annually in July for eight days under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the UN. HLPF 2020 is being hosted virtually in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic between 10 to 16 July 2020. 47 Member States are set to present their VNRs.

Note: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NITI Aayog: Amitabh Kant.

 

2. NTPC’s Singrauli Unit 1 emerges as India’s top-performing plant in first quarter of FY21: The state-run electricity giant National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) Singrauli’s Unit 1 has emerged as the top-performing unit in the country in the first quarter of the financial year 2020-21 as per the data released by Central Electricity Authority. The Unit-1 of the NTPC Singrauli power plant registered a plant load factor (PLF) or capacity utilisation of 101.96 percent in the April-June 2020 period. Apart from this, Unit 4 & 5 registered PLF of 101.85 percent and 100.35 percent in First Quarter of Financial Year 20-21 among the Coal-fired Units.

Singrauli Super Thermal Power Plant: Singrauli Super Thermal Power Plant is located at Shaktinagar in Sonebhadra district of Uttar Pradesh. The power plant is the first power plant of NTPC. The first unit of the station, with an installed capacity of 200 MW, started generating electricity on February 13, 1982. NTPC Singrauli has total 7 units with an overall installed capacity of 2,000 Mega Watt. It includes five units of 200 Mega Watt each and two units of 500 Mega Watt each.

 

3. Loyal Textile Mills Limited launches world’s first reusable PPE kit with Triple Viral Shield Technology: India’s Loyal Textile Mills Limited has launched a new product ‘VIRAL SHIELD’ which comprises of Covid-19 Anti-Viral, Reusable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Masks and Protective Fashion Wear Range. The new triple viral shield products by Loyal Textile has been launched in collaboration with Reliance Industries India and HeiQ from Switzerland. This PPE is the World’s first Reusable PPE. It has been launched under Loyal’s signature brand Supera ShieldTM. The product has passed the Viral Penetration Test, Synthetic Blood penetration test and the SBPR test. It is effective against any type of viruses, bacteria and fungi.

 

4. Assam govt decides to upgrade Dehing Patkai wildlife sanctuary to a national park: Assam government decided to upgrade the Dehing Patkai wildlife sanctuary into a national park amid an ongoing row over allowing coal mining within its jurisdiction. While a limited number of human activities are allowed in wildlife sanctuaries, national parks are strictly off-limits. Assam has five national parks and Dehing Patkai, if upgraded, will increase the tally to 6.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Lee Hsien Loong becomes Prime Minister of Singapore: Ruling People Action Party’s Lee Hsien Loong has won the election for the post of Singapore’s Prime Minister for his 4th term. He won 83 votes out of 93 in the General Elections. It was the weakest performance of the ruling party since independence in 55 years. Opposition Workers’ Party won a record 10 seats and secured 2 group representation constituencies The General Elections of Singapore are the only elections in South-East Asia that were held amid COVID-19 pandemic. Lee Hsien Loong is the 3rd Prime Minister of Singapore. The People’s Action Party is the ruling party in Singapore since independence in 1965.

 

2. World Malala Day: 12th July: The United Nations has declared 12th July as World Malala Day to honour the young activist, Malala Yousafzai. Malala Day is being commemorated on the birthday of Malala Yousafzai to honour women and children’s rights around the world. On October 9, 2012, Malala was shot in the head by Taliban gunmen after she publicly advocated for the education of girls. In 2012, she was awarded the first-ever National Youth Peace Prize by the Pakistan government. In 2014, at age 17, She became the youngest-ever recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of her efforts for children’s rights which had begun even before she was shot. United Nations declared World Malala Day on July 12 in 2013 to honour the young activist with Yousafzai speech at the UN on education of women and children Her documentary ‘He named me Malala’ was shortlisted for Oscars in 2015.

 

3. ADB Renews Pact with IEA to collaborate on Energy Sector Sustainability and Resilience: The Manila-based Asian Development Bank (ADB) has renewed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Energy Agency (IEA) to further scale up collaboration and advance progress on sustainability on energy sector resilience in the Asia and the Pacific region. The three-year agreement, upto 2023, will enable the two organisations to share knowledge and best practice in energy sector data and analysis, on-the-ground engagement, capacity building, technology and innovation among other areas. The renewal agreement was signed on 9 July 2020 on the occasion of IEA’s Clean Energy Transitions Summit in Paris. The first three-year MoU was signed between ADB and IEA in March 2017 to facilitate knowledge and analytical work to advance clean energy development in ADB’s developing member countries. The renewed agreement will help to overcome critical knowledge and experience gaps blocking the development of sustainable energy systems in ADB’s developing member countries and enhance IEA’s data collection and capacity building efforts in Asia and the Pacific.

Note: ADB HQs: Manilla

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Asia Cup Cricket tournament 2020 postponed till June 2021: The 2020 edition of the Asia Cup Cricket tournament has been postponed till June 2021 by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) due to ongoing increase in COVID-19 cases in the region. The tournament was earlier scheduled to be held in September 2020. Originally Pakistan was to host the Asia Cup 2020, but due to security reasons amid coronavirus pandemic, the tournament was later rescheduled to be held in Sri Lanka, since it is the least affected country in the region. Now Sri Lanka will host the Asia Cup in 2021 while Pakistan have been awarded the hosting rights in 2022.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. SEBI Revamps advisory committee on mutual funds; Usha Thorat new head: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has re-constituted its advisory committee on mutual funds that advises the capital markets regulator on matters related to regulation and development of mutual fund industry. The revamped advisory committee on mutual funds has 20-member and will be headed Usha Thorat, former deputy governor of Reserve Bank of India (RBI). SEBI had formed the panel in 2013. The earlier panel had 15 members and was headed by Janki Ballabh, former Chairman of SBI. Role of the advisory committee is to advise SEBI on: (1) Issues related to regulation and development of mutual fund industry. (2) Disclosure requirements and measures required for a change in the legal framework to introduce simplification and transparency in mutual fund regulations.

Note: SEBI's Chairman: Ajay Tyagi

 

2. Govt Halts Merger of 3 State-owned General Insurers, Will Infuse Rs 12,450 Crore: The Union Cabinet decided to halt the merger process of three state-owned general insurance companies, National Insurance, Oriental Insurance and United India Insurance, for the moment and approved fund infusion of Rs 12,450 crore to improve their financial health. The cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi also decided to increase the authorised share capital of National Insurance Company Limited (NICL) to Rs 7,500 crore and that of United India Insurance Company Limited (UIICL) and Oriental Insurance Company Limited (OICL) to Rs 5,000 crore each to give effect to the capital infusion decision.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Kezang D Thongdok bags Dada Saheb Phalke Award 2020: Arunachal Pradesh filmmaker Kezang D Thongdok has bagged the Dada Saheb Phalke Award 2020 for a short documentary “Chi Lupo“. Chi Lupo is a short documentary on honey hunting. Chi Lupo sketches the tradition of honey hunting practised in the Shertukpen community in which “Chi” means honey while “Lipo” means hunters. This age-old tradition of honey hunting is slowly slithering away with each passing day. To keep this tradition of indigenous practice of honey hunting alive, Kezang D Thongdok documented the age old tradition of honey hunting.

Note: Dadasaheb Phalke Award is India's highest award in cinema; 2019 winner: Amitabh Bachchan

 

DEFENCE

 

1. Indian Navy Completes “Operation Samudra Setu”: Operation Samudra Setu, which was launched on 05 May 2020 as part of the national effort to repatriate Indian citizens from overseas during the COVID-19 pandemic has culminated after successfully bringing 3,992 Indian citizens back to their homeland by sea. Indian Naval Ships Jalashwa (Landing Platform Dock), and Airavat, Shardul and Magar (Landing Ship Tanks) participated in this operation which lasted over 55 days and involved traversing more then 23,000 kilometers by sea. Indian Navy has previously undertaken similar evacuation operations as part of Operation Sukoon in 2006 (Beirut) and Operation Rahat in 2015 (Yemen).

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. World Cup-winning footballer Jack Charlton passes away: A member of the England 1966 World-Cup winning team, Jack Charlton passed away. He was also an integral part of the great Don Revie-managed Leeds United side that won the 1969 League title and the 1972 FA Cup. He made a club record 773 appearances for Leeds United over a 23-year period as a player, becoming one of the all-time great central defenders in the game. He was awarded the Republic’s most distinguished award, honorary Irish citizenship, in 1996.

Daily GK Updates - 11th July, 2020

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Skill Development Ministry Launches AI-based portal ASEEM to bridge Demand-Supply gap of Skilled Workforce: Mahendra Nath Pandey, Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) launched ‘Aatamanirbhar Skilled Employee Employer Mapping (ASEEM)’ portal on 10 July 2020 to help skilled people find sustainable livelihood opportunities. ASEEM is an Artificial Intelligence-based platform to improve the information flow and bridge the demand-supply gap in the skilled workforce market. On one hand, the employers will be able to assess the availability of skilled workforce and formulate their hiring plans while on the other hand the portal will strengthen the career pathways of skilled workers by exploring emerging job opportunities especially in the post COVID era. The ASEEM portal can be accessed at smis.nsdcindia.org/. It is also available as an APP. ASEEM has been developed and will be managed by National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) in collaboration with Bengaluru-based company Betterplace, specialising in blue collar employee management.

 

2. Rajasthan launches campaign “Pure for Sure” to ensure purity of milk & dairy products: The Rajasthan state government has launched a week-long campaign “Pure for Sure” to ensure purity of milk and its products. The campaign will run from July 8-July 14, 2020. Under the campaign samples of milk and dairy products will be collected for testing at Food Testing Laboratory available at the divisional level. Information related to samples will be provided by the food safety officers on the FSSAI app on daily basis.

 

3. Himachal’s Nadaun police station among best in country: Nadaun police station in Hamirpur district of Himachal Pradesh has been ranked among the best police stations of the country and the top most police station of the state in the annual ranking of police stations for 2019. The Certificate of Excellence was provided to Nadaun police station by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Recently, the ranking of police stations is carried out by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India and the same was released by the Union Home Minister in a ceremony during DGPs Conference. Following criteria are used to rank the police stations: standard of service delivery, identifying techniques of improvement in policing, addressing of cases and infrastructure.

Note: Chief Minister of HP: Jairam Thakur; Governor of HP: Bandaru Dattatraya.

 

4. Flipkart tie-up with Karnataka Govt to promote Art & Craft: Flipkart has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) and Mines of Government of Karnataka to promote the arts, crafts and handloom sector of Karnataka. This MoU will unite the Flipkart Samarth Programme with the brands based in Karnataka like Cauvery and Priyadarshini Handlooms, part of Karnataka Handlooms Development Corporations.

Note: Flipkart Chief Executive Officer (CEO): Kalyan Krishnamurthy; Chief Operating Officer (COO): Sriram Venkataraman; Head Office: Bengaluru, Karnataka.

Karnataka chief Minister: B. S. Yediyurappa; Governor of Karnataka: Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala; Capital of Karnataka: Bengaluru.

 

5. All India Tiger Census 2018 sets new Guinness World Record for largest camera-trap wildlife survey: The fourth edition of the All India Tiger Estimation 2018 has created the Guinness World Record for being the world’s largest camera trap wildlife survey. The All India Tiger Estimation is conducted every four year since 2006, by the National Tiger Conservation Authority with technical support from the Wildlife Institute of India. In the fourth cycle of the survey, conducted in 2018-19, Camera traps (outdoor photographic devices fitted with motion sensors that start recording when an animal passes by) were placed in 26,838 locations across 141 different sites. Key Highlights of the survey:

These cameras surveyed an effective area of 121,337 square kilometres (46,848 square miles). A total of 34,858,623 photographs of wildlife were captured by the 26,838 camera traps installed. Of the total photographs 76,651 were tigers and 51,777 were leopards while the remaining were other native fauna. The photographs of tigers included 2,461 individual tigers (excluding cubs). As per the survey, India has an estimated 2,967 tigers or 75 percent of the global tiger population.

 

6. DCGI approves Itolizumab for restricted emergency use on COVID-19 patients: The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has approved Itolizumab for restricted emergency use on COVID-19 patients with moderate to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome. DCGI has approved Itolizumab injection for the treatment of cytokine release syndrome in moderate to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome in patients due to COVID-19. Itolizumab injection (drug of Biocon Limited) used for the treatment of patients with active moderate to severe psoriasis.

 

7. Illustrated biography of Dalai Lama titled “His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama: An Illustrated Biography” written by Tenzin Geyche Tethong, to be released in October 2020: The biography of the current Dalai Lama titled “His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama: An Illustrated Biography”, is set to hit the stands in October 2020. The 352-page book has been written by Tenzin Geyche Tethong, one of the Dalai Lama’s closest aides and advisor of over 40 years. The book is published by Roli Books. The book features nearly 400 never seen before photographs and documents from the life and times of the Tibetan spiritual leader. It also has a personal message by the spiritual leader, along with a foreword by his younger brother, Tenzin Choegal.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. ISRO to launch Brazil’s Amazonia-1 satellite: Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) will launch Brazil’s Amazonia-1 satellite. This satellite is onboard the Polar Satellite Launch vehicle (PSLV) as a primary payload by August 2020. This satellite has been locally designed and tested in Brazil. It will be the first satellite for Earth observation; it will not be a hitchhiking satellite. The Amazonia-1 satellite which PSLV will launch will help in monitoring and observing the deforestation of the Amazon region. With the recent fires in the Amazon region, the role of this satellite will be much more crucial for the countries. The images sent by the Brazilian satellite will also provide help in the vegetation and agricultural areas.

Note: ISRO Director: K. Sivan, Headquarters: Bengaluru; Established: 1969.

Capital of Brazil: Brasilia; President of Brazil: Jair Bolsonaro; Currency of Brazil: Brazilian Real.

 

2. World Population Day: 11th July: World Population Day is observed globally on 11th July every year. This day is observed to raise awareness among people about the impact of a growing population and issues including gender equality, the importance of family planning, poverty, maternal health, human rights, etc. This year theme of World Population Day 2020:’ Putting the brakes on COVID-19: Safeguarding the health and rights of women and girls’. The day was established by the Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme in 1989 in commemoration of the day in 1987, when the world reached the population of 5 billion.

Note: United Nations Population Fund Headquarters: New York, United States; United Nations Population Fund Executive Director: Natalia Kanem; United Nations Population Fund Founded: 1969.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Manipur’s Gyanendro Ningombam becomes new Hockey India president: The Hockey India Executive Board has named Gyanendro Ningombam, as the new Officiating President of Hockey India. Earlier, Mohd Mushtaque Ahmed has resigned as Hockey India president due to personal commitments. Ningombam had served as the CEO of Manipur Hockey (2009 - 2014) and vice president of the sport’s governing body till 2018. Hockey India is the governing body with an exclusive mandate to direct and conduct all activities for both men and women's hockey in India.

Note: Hockey India Founded: 20 May 2009; Hockey India Headquarters: New Delhi.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. IRDAI Constitutes 9-member Working Group under Suresh Mathur to study feasibility of Indian Pandemic Risk Pool: The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has formed a 9-member working group to examine the feasibility of ‘Pandemic Risk Pool’. The working group will be chaired by Suresh Mathur, Executive Director of IRDAI. The main aim to this risk pool will be to address various risks which have been triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic as well as offer protection in case of a similar crisis in the future. The panel will explore the possibility of addressing these risks and any other related risks arising out of a Pandemic through the mechanism of a “Pandemic Risk Pool” and form the structure and operating model for the pool

 

2. Union Bank of India reduces MCLR by 20 basis points across tenors: Union Bank of India has announced a reduction in its marginal cost of funds-based lending rate - MCLR by 20 basis points across tenors. The revised one-year MCLR stands at 7.40 per cent (earlier 7.60 %). SBI has also reduced its MCLR by 5-10 basis points for shorter tenors. Indian Overseas Bank has cut its MCLR by up to 25 bps across tenors. Canara Bank and Bank of Maharashtra have also reduced their MCLRs by 10 bps and 20 bps, respectively, across all tenors.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. Global economy to contract by 5.2 pc in 2020: D&B Report: The global economy is likely to contract by 5.2 percent in 2020, according to Dun and Bradstreet’s (DNB) Country Risk and Global Outlook Report that covered 132 countries. The reason behind this decline is the coronanvirus, which is still spreading, and the economic prospects of countries across the world are uncertain.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. UNIFIL’s Indian Battalion wins annual environment award: UNIFIL’s Indian Battalion (INDBATT), the Indian battalion stationed at United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has won the first position in the Annual Environment Award. INDBATT has won the award for a project that seeks to increase awareness and decrease waste generation by planting seedlings in their positions and areas of responsibility, preventing littering, reusing plastic bottles, building green houses and building compost pits. In all seven entities of the UNIFIL Mission were awarded for initiating and implementing innovative projects to preserve environment. The “Annual Environment Awards” were launched by UNIFIL in December 2019 to recognise environmental achievements within the Mission’s area of operations. UNIFIL is a UN-NATO peacekeeping mission established on 19 March 1978 by United Nations Security Council, to confirm Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon which Israel had invaded five days prior, in order to ensure that the government of Lebanon would restore its effective authority in the area.

Note: UNIFIL Mission Leadership: Major General Stefano Del Col.

 

DEFENSE

 

1. Boeing delivers final Apache & Chinook helicopters to IAF: Boeing India has delivered the last of the five AH-64E Apache attack helicopters to the Indian Air Force (IAF) at the Hindan Air Force Station. Boeing has completed delivery of all 22 new AH-64E Apache to the Indian Air Force (IAF). The Apaches were deployed at the Leh airbase as part of the forward movement of assets, amid the stand-off with China in Ladakh. Boeing also handed over the last five of the 15 CH-47F(I) Chinook heavy-lift helicopters to the IAF. India contracted 22 Apache helicopters and 15 Chinook helicopters from Boeing through the Foreign Military Sales programme of the U.S. government in September 2015 under a $3 billion deal.

Note: Headquarters of Boeing: Chicago, United States; Boeing Founded: 15 July 1916; President and Chief Executive Officer of Boeing: David L. Calhoun.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. American Musician Charlie Daniels passes away: Legendary American Musician Charlie Daniels (83 years) passes away in Tennessee, US. He was a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist and is known for his contributions to Southern rock, country, and bluegrass music. He was best known for ‘The Devil Went Down to Georgia’ for which he won the Grammy Award for Best Country Vocal Performance in 1979. He was inducted into Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame (2002), Grand Ole Opry, and Country Music Hall of Fame (2016).