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Sunday, May 15, 2022

Daily GK Update- 15th May, 2022

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Haryana launched ‘Chaara-Bijaee Yojana’ for fodder cultivating farmers: Haryana Agriculture Minister, Jai Parkash Dalal launched the ‘Chaara – Bijaee Yojana’, a scheme launched to provide financial assistance of Rs 10,000 per acre (Upto 10 acres) to farmers cultivating and supplying fodder to Gaushalas (Cowsheds). The rationale behind the scheme is to address the State’s fodder shortage and rising stray cattle. The Subsidy will be directly credited to the farmer’s account under Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). Under the scheme:

a)      The number of cow shelters in the state increased from 175 in 2017 to 600 in 2022. Most cow shelters remain overcrowded due to an increase in the stray cattle population.

b)      Also, the Phosphate-Rich Organic Manure (PROM) prepared from cow dung can be used as an alternative for synthetic fertilisers. The Prom is also prepared from various gaushalas of Pinjore, Hisar and Bhiwani districts of Haryana.

c)       The state government has been taking a number of steps in the interest of farmers, and the ‘Chaara-Bijaee Yojana’ is another step in that direction. In April, Rs 13.44 crore was distributed among 569 gaushalas in the state for purchasing fodder.”

Note: Haryana Governor: Bandaru Dattatreya; Haryana Capital: Chandigarh; Haryana Chief Minister: Manohar Lal Khattar.

 

2. In Bharuch, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses ‘Utkarsh Samaroh’: Prime Minister Narendra Modi used video conferencing to address the Utkarsh Samaroh in Bharuch, Gujarat. The event commemorates the district’s 100 percent saturation of four main state government initiatives that will help give prompt financial support to individuals in need. Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel, Gujarat’s Chief Minister, was among those in attendance.

Key Points:

a)      Women from the region gave the Prime Minister with a massive Rakhi, wishing him health and a long life and thanking him for what he has done for women’s dignity and ease of life in the country.

b)      The Prime Minister met with recipients of several government programmes.

c)       The Prime Minister told the crowd that today’s Utkarsh Samaroh is proof of the productive results that can be accomplished when the government honestly reaches out to the beneficiaries with a resolve.

d)      He praised the Bharuch district administration and the Gujarat government for fully implementing four social security initiatives. The Prime Minister remarked on the beneficiaries’ happiness and confidence.

e)      He claimed that a lack of awareness prevents many tribal, SC, and minority citizens from benefiting from the initiatives. He further mentioned that the Sabka Saath Sabka Vishwas mentality and good intentions always yield positive results.

 

3. Outbreak of Tomato Flu in Southern Parts of India: In a few parts of Kerala, a new virus known as tomato flu has been detected after the covid-19 pandemic. Almost 80 children in Kollam city of Kerala have been diagnosed with tomato flu and it is spreading rapidly. All the cases that are confirmed have been diagnosed in children below 5 years. They have been admitted to the local government hospitals. The number of children admitted to the private hospitals is not yet been included in the tally it may be higher than 80 cases.

It is recognized as tomato flu because it causes tomato-shaped blisters on the body. The children diagnosed with tomato flu are experiencing fever, rashes, and skin irritation. Some children are also suffering from dehydration. The increasing effect of tomato flu in Kollam the neighboring districts like Mangaluru, Udupi, Kodagu, Chamrajnagara, and Mysuru are on high alert and are directed to keep an eye on the daily travelers. The flu has reached Aryankavu, Anchal, and Nedivathur in Kerala.

 

4. 5000-year-old jewellery factory rooted out in Haryana’s Indus Valley site Rakhi Garhi: With the excavation of a 5000-year-old jewellery-making factory, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which has been working in Rakhi Garhi, Haryana, for the past 32 years, has produced one of its most significant findings yet. Rakhi Garhi is a village in Haryana’s Hisar district and one of the oldest Indus Valley Civilisation archaeological sites. Key Points:

a)      The discovery of the structure of some dwellings, a kitchen complex, and a 5000-year-old jewellery-making factory indicates that the site was once a very major commercial centre.

b)      Copper and gold jewellery that had been concealed for thousands of years were also discovered.

c)       Graveyards have been discovered in the excavation sites at Sinauli in Uttar Pradesh, which gained attention for its Bronze Age solid-disk wheel carts discovered in 2018, which were interpreted by some as horse-pulled “chariots.”

d)      Archaeologists say the graveyards show that the civilisation believed in life after death.

e)      In the previous two months, ASI has made many findings in Rakhi Garhi, indicating that the civilisation is slowly heading toward maturity.

f)        There were also thousands of earthen jars, royal seals, and children’s toys discovered.

 

5. Rajiv Kumar appointed as next Chief Election Commissioner: Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar was appointed as the next chief election commissioner. He will assume charge on May 15 after incumbent Sushil Chandra demits office on May 14, a notification issued by the Law Ministry said. In pursuance of clause (2) of Article 324 of the Constitution, the President appointed Shri Rajiv Kumar as the Chief Election Commissioner with effect from the 15th of May 2022.

Note: Election Commission of India Formed: 25 January 1950; Election Commission of India Headquarters: New Delhi.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Marcos Jr. Wins 2022 Presidential Election in Philippines: Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Junior, a son of late Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos claims the victory in the 2022 Presidential Election of the Philippines with more than 30.8 million votes. A win would return the Marcos dynasty to power. Hundreds gathered to protest the results of the election.

Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Leni Robredo are the president and vice president candidates in the election. Both the candidates promised economic recovery following the pandemic. Along with the two main candidates, eight other candidates, including former boxing star Manny Pacquiao, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and former national police chief Sen. Panfilo Lacson, have lagged far behind in voter preference surveys.

Note: Philippines Capital City: Manila; Currency: Philippine peso.

 

2. International Day of Families: 15th May: The International Day of Families is observed every year on 15 May to reflect the importance that the international community attaches to families. The significance of families is highlighted on this day. The United Nations works on topics that are critical to the well-being of families worldwide, such as health, education, children’s rights, gender equality, work-family balance, and social inclusion, among others.

The theme for this year ‘Families and Urbanization’ aims to raise awareness about the necessity of family-friendly urban policy. One of the most important emerging trends impacting our planet and the lives and well-being of families throughout the world is urbanization.

History of the International Day of Families: On December 9, 1989, the United Nations General Assembly declared the International Year of Families in a resolution. In 1993, the United Nations General Assembly declared May 15 to be the International Day of Families. The fundamental purpose of reaffirming these goals is to demonstrate the United Nations’ willingness to inspire people to work for improved living conditions and social progress for families all around the world.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Italian Cup 2022: Inter Milan Beat Juventus: Inter Milan defeated Juventus 4-2 after extra time in the Italian Cup final. Ivan Perisic scored twice in extra time after Hakan Çalhanoglu had converted a controversial late penalty. Nicolò Barella scored the other goal for Inter. The Italian Cup final soccer match between Juventus and Inter Milan was held at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy.

Hakan Calhanoglu stepped up from the penalty spot with 80 minutes on the clock to force extra time before another spot-kick was converted by Ivan Perisic to put the Nerazzurri within touching distance of the trophy.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. InspiHE₹: Financial literacy campaign launched by Bharti AXA Life Insurance: Bharti AXA Life Insurance, a joint venture between Bharti Enterprises, one of India’s largest business groups, and AXA, one of the world’s largest insurance companies, announced the launch of its financial literacy campaign, ‘InspiHE₹– enabling an empowered future, a special effort to propagate financial awareness among women as well as allow people to make good investment decisions for a stable future. Key Points:

a)      According to research, 55% of women do not make well-informed financial decisions, and 59% of women do not have health or life insurance. Bharti AXA intends to improve this situation gradually.

b)      In honour of ‘International Mother’s Day’ and the upcoming ‘International Day of Families,’ the organisation has launched an initiative to empower women, particularly moms, by teaching them the fundamentals of financial planning and saving in order to ensure their future.

c)       The ‘InspiHE₹’ campaign will begin with on-the-ground teaching sessions for a group of Mumbai moms and will be disseminated through social media channels to generate interest. The corporation hopes to involve women, particularly moms, and their families with this campaign.

d)      They will teach their mothers, housekeepers, and other family members the essentials of financial planning on their own time, and they will encourage Indians on social media to promote financial literacy and further this programme.

Note: Bharti AXA General Insurance Company Limited CEO: Sanjeev Srinivasan

 

2. Campbell Wilson named as new MD & CEO of Air India: Campbell Wilson has been appointed as the new chief executive officer (CEO) and Managing Director (MD) of Air India. He has 26 years of aviation industry expertise across both full service and low-cost airlines. He is the chief executive of Scoot, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines. Wilson’s appointment comes after Turkey’s Ilker Ayci decided not to take on the role of chief executive of Air India after the announcement of his appointment led to opposition in India over his previous political links.

Recently, Nipun Aggarwal was appointed as Chief Commercial Officer and Suresh Dutt Tripathi as Chief Human Resources Officer. Aggarwal, who is also Senior Vice President at Tata Sons, replaced Air India veteran Meenakshi Malik, while Tripathi, who was Vice President of Human Resources at Tata Steel from 2012 to 2021, succeeded AI’s Amrita Sharan.

Note: Air India Founder: R. D. Tata;    Air India Founded: 1932; Air India Headquarters: New Delhi; Air India Chairman: N Chandrasekaran.

 

3. Deepika Padukone named as 1st Indian brand ambassador of Louis Vuitton: Actress Deepika Padukone has become the first-ever Indian brand ambassador of luxury brand Louis Vuitton. The news was announced by the French brand. The brand unveiled the role of a 36-year-old Bollywood actress during their new handbag campaign. It saw Padukone joining in actors Emma Stone and Zhou Dongyu for promotional shots.

Padukone is often pictured sporting Louis Vuitton outfits and bags, and she had also modelled for them previously. She became the first Indian actor to feature in the brand’s campaign in 2020 when she posed for a mock book cover with stars like Lea Seydoux and Sophie Turner.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Indian Architect B V Doshi honoured with Royal Gold Medal 2022: Indian Architect Balkrishna Vithaldas Doshi was bestowed with the prestigious Royal Gold Medal 2022. Royal Gold Medal, one of the world’s highest honours for architecture, by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), London, United Kingdom (UK). The Royal Gold Medal is approved personally by Queen Elizabeth II of the UK and the award is given to a person or group of people who have had a significant influence either directly or indirectly on the advancement of architecture. About BV Doshi:

a)      B V Doshi had a vivid work experience with noted Architect Le Corbusier as a Senior Designer (1951-54) in Paris, France and supervised projects in Ahmedabad, Gujarat for four more years. Doshi also worked with Louis Kahn as an associate to build the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad.

b)      He won Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2018 which is considered a Nobel Prize in Architecture and he will be the only Indian Architect to hold both the Pritzker Architecture Prize and Royal Gold Medal.

c)       He was honoured with Padma Shri in 1976 for science and engineering and Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest Civilian in 2020 for his contribution to the field of architecture.

 

2. Dr. Frank Wilczek Receives 2022 Templeton Prize: American Theoretical physicist and author, Dr Frank Wilczek, who won the Nobel Prize (in Physics) in 2004, has been awarded the Templeton Prize 2022, the world’s largest individual lifetime achievement award, valued at over USD 1.3 million. He became the 6th Nobel laureate to receive the Templeton Prize since its inception in 1972. As a 2022 Templeton Prize laureate he will participate in several virtual and in­person events, including a 2022 Templeton Prize event.

About Templeton Prize: John Templeton establishes the Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion (now known simply as the Templeton Prize in 1972. This was investor Sir John Templeton’s first major philanthropic venture. The inaugural Templeton Prize (1973) was presented to Mother Teresa.

About Dr Frank Wilczek: Dr Frank Wilczek is a distinguished Professor in Arizona State University’s Department of Physics. He continues to pioneer new concepts in physics, naming and developing the theories of anyons, time crystals and axions. He won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2004 for the discovery of asymptotic freedom in the theory of strong interaction. He shared the prize with David J. Gross and H. David Politzer.

Saturday, May 14, 2022

Daily GK Update- 14th May, 2022

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India elected a new Chair of the Association of Asian Election Authorities for 2022-24: India has been unanimously elected as the new Chair of the Association of Asian Election Authorities (AAEA) for 2022-2024 at the meeting of the Executive Board and General Assembly in Manila, Philippines. Commission on Elections, Manila was the current chair of AAEA. The new member of the Executive Board now includes Russia, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Taiwan and the Philippines.

The Election Commission of India 3-member delegation headed by Deputy Election Commissioner Shri Nitesh Vyas, along with CEO Manipur Shri Rajesh Agrawal and CEO Rajasthan Shri Praveen Gupta, attended the Executive Board meeting at Manila and presented the work plan for 2022-23 as also futuristic activities for 2023-24 to the Executive Board.

What is the work of the Association of Asian Election Authorities: According to ECI, the mission of the Association of Asian Election Authorities is to provide a non-partisan forum in the Asian region for sharing experiences and best practices among election authorities to discuss and act upon ways to promote open and transparent elections with the objective of supporting good governance and democracy.

 

2. Mumbai Gets India’s First EV Charging Station Powered by bio-gas: India’s first EV charging station powered by bio-gas was inaugurated in Mumbai, Maharashtra. This station be will expected to generate 220 units of electricity from food waste collected from its nearby areas, mostly from bulk generators like hotels and offices. This energy plant will be utilized to power street lights and also to charge electric vehicles. It was inaugurated by Maharashtra Environment Minister Aaditya Uddhav Thackeray. The Biogas Electricity Generation Plant, set up in the year 2021, uses about 1.5 lakh kilograms of food waste to generate electricity. Also, to promote electric vehicles, BMC is planning to set up organic waste-powered EV charging stations in its 24 administrative wards.

Country’s first organic waste-powered EV charging station at Keshavrao Khadye road near Haji Ali in Mumbai. The project is a joint venture between the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and AeroCare Clean Energy. This EV Charging Plant is connected with the Waste-Energy Unit at Minatai Thackeray Park.

 

3. RailTel introduced PM-WANI based access to its Wi-Fi at 100 Railway Stations: RailTel, a micro Ratna PSU, launched the Prime Minister Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM-WANI) scheme, providing access to its Public WiFi services across 100 train stations in 22 states. PM-WANI is a Department of Telecom (DoT) initiative to connect all silo Wi-Fi networks for simplicity of use and to increase broadband adoption among the general public.

Key Points:

a)      Android users can connect to this WiFi network by downloading the ‘Wi-DOT’ app from the Google Play Store. The software was created in close collaboration with C-DOT.

b)      This means of connecting to Wi-Fi via the ‘mobile app’ would be in addition to the present technique of connecting to WiFi at these stations by selecting the RailWire Service Set Identifier (SSID).

c)       PM-WANI-based access will make it easier to use WANI-based Public WiFi by allowing one-time Know Your Customer (KYC) to bypass one-time password (OTP) based authentication.

d)      The RailTel WiFi network now covers 6,102 railway stations across the country and has 17, 792 WiFi hotspots, with more on the way.

 

4. VP Venkaiah Naidu releases ‘Modi @20: Dreams Meeting Delivery’ book: Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu has released the book “Modi@20 Dreams Meet Delivery” in New Delhi. ‘Modi@20’ is an anthology edited and compiled by BlueKraft Digital Foundation, and is a compilation of chapters authored by eminent intellectuals and domain experts, Rupa Publications.

The essence of the book: The book encompasses the experiential journey of Modi since he left his house at the tender age of 17 and set out on a mission of knowing himself, and his country and finally define the mission of transforming India. In 2021, Modi completed twenty continuous years as the head of a government. This book, a compilation of chapters authored by eminent intellectuals and domain experts, attempts a definitive and expansive exploration into the fundamental transformation of Gujarat and India over the last twenty years due to Modi’s unique model of governance.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. South Korea becomes 1st Asian country join NATO Cyber Defence Group: South Korea became the first Asian country join in North Atlantic Treaty Organization Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence. South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) is joined as a contributing participant in the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence.

Now, the total NATO CCDCOE has 32 countries as its official members which include 27 NATO member countries and 5 five non-NATO states as contributing participants. South Korea has participated in the Locked Shields 2022, the largest and most complex annual international live-fire cyber defence exercise in the world. It has been participating two years in a row since 2020. South Korea joining the CCDCOE would help it counter the cybersecurity threat perception due to North Korea.

About the NATO: The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, also called the North Atlantic Alliance, is an intergovernmental military alliance between 30 member states – 28 European states. Founded in 1949. Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium.

 

2. Intersolar Europe 2022 to be attended by Bhagwant Khuba: Shri Bhagwant Khuba, Union Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy, has arrived in Munich, Germany for Intersolar Europe 2022. In Munich, the Indian Union Minister will deliver a keynote talk at the investment promotion event India’s Solar Energy Market. The Indo-German Energy Forum (IGEF) is organising the event. Key Points:

a)      The event is critical in terms of possible benefits for India, such as solar technology transfer, international investor investments in solar manufacturing, KfW development bank financing, and knowledge exchange pacts with Europe.

b)      Intersolar is the world’s largest solar industry and partner show series. It brings together individuals and businesses from all over the world with the goal of boosting the use of solar energy in our energy supply.

c)       Intersolar has the unique ability to bring together participants of the solar business from all over the world, thanks to its more than 30 years of expertise.

d)      Munich, So Paulo, Long Beach, Gandhinagar, Dubai, and Mexico City all host Intersolar fairs and conferences. Intersolar Summits, which take place in emerging and developing markets around the world, supplement these global gatherings.

e)      More than 20,000 individuals are expected to participate, including ministers and secretaries from several countries. Major renewable energy international firms such as ABB, Siemens, Ercon, 3S Swiss Solar Solutions, Meyer Burger Technologies AG, BayWa r.e. GmbH, Engie, Enel, and Wacker are expected to be represented at the event through their CEOs.

 

3. World Migratory Bird Day: 14th May: World Migratory Bird Day is marked twice a year since its inauguration in 2006. International Migratory Bird Day will be celebrated on 14 May and 8 October 2022. The day is celebrated with an aim to safeguard migratory birds’ breeding, non-breeding as well as stopover habitats while preserving a healthy bird population. The theme for World Migratory Bird Day 2022 is light pollution. As artificial lighting has been increasing globally by at least 2 per cent per annum, this has had an adverse impact on many birds. Light pollution is a major threat to migratory birds as it leads to disorientation when they fly at night, this, in turn, leads to collisions and also interferes with their long-distance migrations.

History of International Migratory Bird Day: International Migratory Bird Day was marked in 2006 when the United Nations decided that the world’s population needs to be made aware of the worldwide migratory linkages. Since then, 118 countries participated in and organised the event. The United Nations (UN) Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds had envisioned the World Migratory Bird Day.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. India won 14 medals in Archery Asia Cup 2022 Stage 2: Indian archers wrapped up a highly successful Asia Cup 2022 Stage-2 campaign in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq with a total of 14 medals – eight golds, four silvers and two bronze. The Indian team of women archers Parneet Kaur, Aditi Swami, and Sakshi Chaudhary has won India’s first gold medal of the continental meet after defeating Kazakhstan in Iraq. The men’s team of Prathamesh Fuge, Rishabh Yadav, and Jawkar Samadhan has won the second gold for India. The compound mixed duo of Prathmesh Fuge & Parneet Kaur won the third Gold Medal at Asia Archery Cup.

India medal winners:

Women’s team compound: gold (Sakshi Chaudhary, Parneet Kaur, and Aditi Gopichand Swami)

Men’s team compound: gold (Rishabh Yadav, Prathamesh Fuge, and Prathamesh Jawkar)

Mixed team compound: gold (Prathamesh Fuge and Parneet Kaur)

Men’s individual compound: Prathmesh Fuge (gold); Rishabh Yadav (silver); Jawkar Samadhan (bronze)

Women’s individual compound: Sakshi Chaudhary (gold); Parneet Kaur (silver)

Women’s team recurve: gold (Avani, Bhajan Kaur and Laxmi Hembrom)

Men’s team recurve: gold (Mrinal Chauhan, Parth Salunkhe and Juyel Sarkar)

Mixed team recurve: silver (Parth Salunkhe and Bhajan Kaur)

Men’s individual recurve: Mrinal Chauhan (gold); Parth Salunke (bronze)

Women’s individual recurve: Bhajan Kaur (silver)

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. ICICI Bank and Santander UK Partner for business ease between India and UK: ICICI Bank, one of India’s largest private sector banks, established a partnership with Santander Bank in the United Kingdom, aimed at making banking easier for businesses operating in both countries. The ICICI and Santander UK Plc signed a MoU in Mumbai to build a framework of partnership between the banks to satisfy the financial service needs of corporate clients operating along the India-UK corridor. Key Points:

a)      ICICI Bank said it will offer UK corporates operating in India banking solutions in trade, cross-border payments, supply chain, treasury solutions, and retail banking, while Santander UK will support Indian corporates and new age firms with their banking needs in the UK.

b)      ICICI Bank’s Head of the International Banking Group, Sriram H Iyer, who signed the MoU on behalf of the bank, stated that India and the United Kingdom have long had strong bilateral relations and that India has long been a favoured foreign investment destination for British companies.

c)       This MoU enables corporates in the UK-India corridor to receive smooth banking services. They are convinced that ICICI Bank would support Santander UK and assist its customers build their businesses in India, and make India one of their main markets, thanks to their extensive network, industry-first digital services, and comprehensive suite of corporate ecosystem banking.

d)      According to the banking executive, the cooperation will serve the financial needs of the corporate ecosystem in the booming UK-India corridor.

Note: Non-Executive (part-time) Chairman of ICICI Bank: Mr. Girish Chandra Chaturvedi; Chief Executive Officer of Santander UK: Mike Regnier; ICICI Bank’s Head of the International Banking Group: Sriram H Iyer

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. Saudi Aramco overtook Apple Inc. as the world’s most valuable company: Oil giant Saudi Aramco has dethroned Apple Inc. to become the world’s most valuable company, underscoring the recent surge in oil prices that have boosted the energy giant this year. Aramco traded near its highest level on record, with a market capitalization of about $2.43 trillion, surpassing that of Apple for the first time since 2020. The iPhone maker fell 5.2% to close at $146.50 per share, giving it a valuation of $2.37 trillion.

Even if the move proves short-lived and Apple retakes the top spot again, the role reversal underscores the power of major forces coursing through the global economy. Soaring oil prices, while great for profits at Aramco, are exacerbating rising inflation that is forcing the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates at the fastest pace in decades. The higher rates go, the more investors discount the value of future revenue flows from tech companies and push down their stock prices.

Note: Saudi Aramco Founded: 1933; Saudi Aramco Headquarters: Dhahran, Saudi Arabia; Saudi Aramco CEO: Amin H. Nasser.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Mamata Banerjee recieved Special Bangla Academy Award: West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee received the Bangla Academy Award for her “relentless literary pursuit”. The award, introduced this year by Sahitya Academy, was presented to Banerjee for her book “Kabita Bitan”, which pays tribute to the best writers of West Bengal. Mamata Banerjee’s ‘Kabita Bitan’ was launched at the 2020 Kolkata Book Fair. The book contains 946 poems written by the TMC supremo. Despite being on the stage, Mamata Banerjee did not accept the award on her own and it was received by state Education Minister Bratya Basu on her behalf.

Banerjee was given the award at the “Ravi Pranam” function organised by the government’s information and culture department on the occasion of Rabindranath Tagore’s birth anniversary. Bangla Academy has decided to reward those who are working tirelessly for the betterment of literature as well as other sectors of society.

 

2. President confers 13 Shaurya Chakras, Param Vishisht Seva Medal to Army Chief: President of India, Ram Nath Kovind conferred 13 Shaurya Chakras which included six posthumous to the personnel of the Indian Armed forces for their conspicuous courage displayed during operations. Army Chief General Manoj Pande was conferred with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) for his distinguished service of exceptional order at a defence investiture ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan. The President also conferred 14 PVSM, four Uttam Yudh Seva Medals (UYSM) and 24 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals (AVSM) for distinguished service of an exceptional order.

These awards of Gallantry and other Defence decorations conferred were approved by the President in January on the eve of the 73rd Republic Day celebrations this January. Gen Manoj Pande assumed the charge of the 29th Chief of the Army Staff on April 30. Before that, he was serving as the Vice Chief of Army Staff for three months and was the General Officer Commander in Chief, Eastern Command of the Army before that.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Leonid Kravchuk, the first president of Independent Ukraine Passes Away: Leonid Kravchuk, a former communist who helped sign the Soviet Union’s death warrant and then served as the first president of independent Ukraine, passed away at the age of 88. Kravchuk was known as the “wily fox” as he rose through the ranks of Ukraine’s Communist Party and take over as head of the parliament in 1990. He signed the Belovezha accords with Russian President Boris Yeltsin and Belarusian leader Stanislav Shushkevich in December 1991 which effectively triggered the Soviet Union’s collapse.

Note: Ukraine Capital: Kyiv; Ukraine Currency: Ukrainian hryvnia; Ukraine President: Volodymyr Zelenskyy; Ukraine Prime minister: Denys Shmyhal.

Friday, May 13, 2022

Daily GK Update- 13th May, 2022

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister launched Ladli Laxmi scheme 2.0: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the second phase of the Ladli Laxmi scheme (Ladli Laxmi scheme-2.0). The scheme is an innovative initiative to encourage girl children to pursue higher education and make them self-dependent. The scheme is being implemented by the government of Madhya Pradesh since 2007 to enhance the economic and educational status of the girls.

Ladli Laxmi’s scheme: Ladli Laxmi scheme is a comprehensive scheme that offers financial assistance for a girl from birth until her marriage in instalments. The family of the girl child should be a permanent resident of Madhya Pradesh. The family should come under below the poverty line (BPL), i.e., should not be an income taxpayer. A maximum of two daughters can be registered under this scheme.

Note: Madhya Pradesh Capital: Bhopal; Madhya Pradesh Governor: Mangubhai C. Patel; Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister: Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

 

2. NSO survey: Unemployment rate of India at 8.7% in October-December 2021: The National Statistical Office (NSO) data has revealed that the unemployment rate for people above 15 years in urban areas slipped from 10.3% to 8.7% between October and December 2021. Joblessness or unemployment rate (UR) is defined as the percentage of unemployed persons in the labour force. Key points of the National Statistical Office data:

a)      Among males, the unemployment rate in urban areas also dipped to 8.3% in October-December 2021 compared to 9.5% a year ago. It was 9.3% in July-September 2021.

b)      The data also showed that the joblessness or unemployment rate among females (aged 15 years and above) in urban areas also declined to 10.5% from 13.1% in the same period. It was 11.6% in July-September 2021.

c)       Labour force participation rate in CWS (current weekly status) in urban areas for persons 15 years of age and above remained unchanged at 47.3% in the October-December quarter of 2021, compared to the same period a year ago. It was 46.9% in July-September 2021.

d)      Labour force refers to the part of the population which supplies or offers to supply labour for pursuing economic activities for the production of goods and services.

e)      The work Population Ratio in urban areas for persons of age 15 years and above stood at 43.2% in October-December 2021, up from 42.4% in the same period a year ago. It was 42.3% in July-September 2021.

 

3. WEF to focus on innovative technology to assist small and marginal farmers: The World Economic Forum (WEF), in collaboration with the government’s research institute Niti Aayog, is focusing on how to better employ emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, and drones to aid farmers, especially small and marginal farmers. Key Points:

a)      Agriculture is an important part of the Indian economy, employing 43 percent of the country’s workers.

b)      Small holders, who account for 86 percent of all farmers in India and own less than 2 hectares of land (compared to 2-10 hectares for medium holders and more than 10 hectares for large holders), are still among the poorest people in the country, earning only 39 percent of what medium holders earn and only 13 percent of what large holders earn.

c)       Due to insufficient transparency of demand, exploitative intermediation, inadequate quality assurance, inadequate access to efficient and low-cost logistics, and little bargaining power, smallholder farmers are typically unable to obtain equivalent value for their produce.

d)      Improved value capture and total value production in the agricultural environment are required to increase farmer incomes. Technology has the potential to quickly develop and iterate solutions, reduce costs, improve information flow transparency, and boost connectivity across value chain actors.

e)      Given the importance of agriculture in the Indian economy and farmers’ chronic economic disadvantage, there is a pressing need to address difficulties in the farmgate-to-fork (F2F) ecosystem and making agriculture more profitable for farmers.

Solution according to WEF: In India, a plethora of high-potential innovations have arisen to solve these issues, with some proving proof of concept. India is well positioned to scale up these technologies. India’s rapidly evolving agricultural technology landscape reflects innovators, investors, and adopters who can develop, test, and adopt solutions at scale, with 560 million internet users (50 percent in rural areas), high smartphone penetration, and an AI market valued at $6.4 billion (16 percent of the global AI market).

 

4. Green Satellite Propulsion tested by Bellatrix Aerospace: Bengaluru-based Bellatrix Aerospace has successfully tested an environmentally friendly satellite propulsion system that offers a 20 percent increase in fuel efficiency over hydrazine-dependent fuel systems. Bellatrix’s recent testing of its green propulsion system also signals a turning point in the company’s quest to develop a space taxi for satellites. Key Points:

a)      Satellite thrusters use the poisonous substance hydrazine, which has a negative influence on the environment, prompting space experts to look for environmentally friendly replacements.

b)      According to a press statement from ISRO, the union cabinet approved two unmanned missions and one crewed mission as part of the Rs 9,023-crore Gaganyaan project.

c)       Should green propellants be explored for human flight missions, they would result in faster processing times and fewer handling needs, both of which are key roles in a crewed human flight mission.

d)      ISRO has said that it will strive to employ green fuels in all future flights, and the green fuel recently tested by Bellatrix Aerospace is particularly promising, offering both safe handling and superior performance over harmful substances such as hydrazine.

e)      Green propulsion research is critical since the world is rapidly moving toward green chemistry, and keeping up with the latest advances is critical for our country.

 

5. A book Titled “The Struggle for Police Reforms in India” by Ex-IPS Prakash Singh: Vice President (VP) of India, M Venkaiah Naidu, released a book titled “The Struggle for Police Reforms in India: Ruler’s Police to People’s Police” authored by a former IPS officer, Prakash Singh in New Delhi. The book is published by Rupa Publications India Pvt Ltd.

About the book: This book documents the efforts made to bring about police reforms in India. The book provides the historical background to the origin of the Indian Police and traces the evolution during British Rule and subsequently since independence. The book focuses on the efforts of Prakash Singh to bring transformational changes in the Indian Police.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister resigned after weeks of Protest: Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahindra Rajapaksa resigned from his position. He sent his resignation letter to the president of Sri Lanka Gotabaya Rajapaksa. He has been accused of misleading Sri Lanka’s economy and pushing Sri Lanka towards Bank corruption and economic crisis.  The Sri Lankan people have been protesting against the president and the prime minister. The supporters attack the Anti-government protesters outside the president’s office which leads to massive violence.  151 people were injured and admitted in the hospital.

Reason for Protest in Sri Lanka: During this month the president has declared two state emergencies because the protest against the prime minister grew large every day. The protestors were not happy with the government and demanded the resignation of President Rajapaksa and his elder brother Mahindra Rajapaksa who is the prime minister of Sri Lanka. Mahindra Rajapaksa has been accused of mismanaging the economy of Sri Lanka and pushing it towards bankruptcy. The Paksa family has been dominating Sri Lanka for years and now the people are ready to protest against the government. The economic crisis leads to food shortages, medicine shortages, and fuel shortages. The country has no budget for foreign exchange and is under the depth of international countries. To pay the depth of all the international countries Sri Lanka needs 3 billion to four billion dollars. The main reason for the economic crisis was the setback of the tourism industry due to Covid-19, depletion of forex reserves, and the depression of currency in Sri Lanka. The protester strongly believes that the Rajapaksa family has failed Sri Lanka as a country.

 

2. Monkeypox Virus: Another virus, Monkeypox, has made an appearance in the United Kingdom. The patient has a recent travel history from Nigeria, where they are suspected to have contracted the infection, before travelling to the UK, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), which confirmed the case.

Monkeypox Virus: Monkeypox is a viral disease caused by the Monkeypox virus, which belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus in the Poxviridae family and is associated with diseases such as smallpox, cowpox, horsepox, and camelpox. It was first discovered in humans in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1970, two years after smallpox had been eradicated from the area.

According to WHO records, the majority of Monkeypox cases have been reported from rural, rainforest regions of the Congo Basin since 1970, mainly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where it is currently considered endemic.

Monkeypox Virus History: According to a scientific report, the Monkeypox virus was initially discovered in a colony of Cynomolgus monkeys kept at the State Serum Institute in Copenhagen in 1958. The disease first struck giant anteaters from South America, but it quickly spread to other ape and monkey species. The Congo Basin and West African clades of the Monkeypox virus are responsible for the disease. Clades are collections of creatures that have a common ancestor. The Congo Basin clade of Monkeypox virus is the more virulent and transmissible of the two genetic clades.

About Monkeypox Virus Outbreak:

a)      According to the WHO, the first large Monkeypox outbreak was detected in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1996–97, with lower case fatality and a greater attack rate.

b)      A Monkeypox epidemic was detected in the United States in 2003, marking the first time the disease had been reported outside of Africa. “n 2003, 47 cases of Monkeypox were confirmed or suspected in six states: Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin.All Monkeypox patients in this outbreak became ill after coming into contact with pet prairie dogs.

c)       In 2017, Nigeria saw the largest documented outbreak in 40 years.

d)      Travellers from Nigeria who became ill with Monkeypox after arriving in Israel in September 2018, the United Kingdom in September 2018 and December 2019, and Singapore in May 2019 carried the disease.

Symptoms of monkeypox: During a Monkeypox viral attack, the symptoms can be divided into two categories: invasion and skin rash. Monkeypox typically takes 6 to 13 days to incubate. The incubation period is the time between when an infection occurs and when symptoms develop in a person. The patient has fever, acute headache, lymphadenopathy (swelling of the lymph nodes), back pain, myalgia (muscle aches), and an intense asthenia during the invasion stage, which is within the first 5 days of the illness (lack of energy).

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. 12th IBA Womens World Boxing Championships kick-started in Istanbul: The 12th edition of the IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships was kick-started in Istanbul, Turkey. In this event, more than 400 boxers from a record 93 countries are set to take part in this year’s event, which also marks the 20th anniversary of the prestigious event.

Olympian Lovlina Borgohain will represent the Indian country. The other representatives of this game are Pooja Rani (81 kg), Nandini (+81 kg) and Nikhat Zareen (52 kg), Nitu (48kg), Anamika (50kg), Shiksha (54kg), Manisha (57kg), Parveen (63kg) and Sweety (75kg).

Note: International Boxing Association (IBA) was formed in 1946; Headquarters of IBA: Lausanne, Switzerland; President of IBA: Umar Nazarovich Kremlev.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. GoI releases Rs 7,183.42 crore to 14 states as revenue deficit grant: The central government has released Rs 7,183.42 crore as a revenue deficit grant to 14 states including Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Punjab, Assam and Kerala. The Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance released the money. This is the 2nd monthly instalment of Post Devolution Revenue Deficit (PDRD) grant to states. The grant has been released as per the recommendations of the Fifteenth Finance Commission. The States which have been recommended Post Devolution Revenue Deficit grant by the Fifteenth Finance Commission during 2022-23 are: Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tripura, Uttarakhand and West Bengal.

Key points:

a)      Fifteenth Finance Commission recommended Post Devolution Revenue Deficit (PDRD) grant to states. Post Devolution Revenue Deficit (PDRD) grant is provided under Article 275 of the Indian Constitution.

b)      The Fifteenth Finance Commission has recommended a total Post Devolution Revenue Deficit (PDRD) Grant of Rs 86,201 crore to 14 states for the financial year 2022-23.

c)       The Department of Expenditure (Ministry of Finance) will release the grant to the recommended states in 12 equated monthly instalments (EMIs). With the recent release, the total amount of Revenue Deficit Grants released to the States in 2022-23 has gone up to Rs 14,366.84 crore.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Former Union Minister Pandit Sukh Ram passes away: Veteran Himachal Pradesh Congress leader and former Union minister, Pandit Sukh Ram has passed away at 94. He was the Union Minister of State, Communications (Independent Charge) from 1993 to 1996 and a member of Lok Sabha from the Mandi constituency (Himachal Pradesh). He won the Lok Sabha elections three times and the Vidhan Sabha elections five times. In 2011, he was sentenced to five years of imprisonment for corruption when he was Communications Minister in 1996.

 

2. World’s oldest chess grandmaster Yuri Averbakh passes away: Russian chess grandmaster, Yuri Averbakh who was among the world’s best players for a decade, trained world champions and was the last surviving participant in one of the greatest competitions in history, has died in Moscow at 100. He won the Moscow Championship in 1949 and earned the Grandmaster title in 1952. In 1954, he became the champion of the USSR. He also chaired the Chess Federation of the USSR from 1972 to 1977.