Daily GK Updates - 11th February, 2020

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Coal Ministry launches Web Portal for Star Rating of Mines in India: Ministry of Coal (MoC) has launched a web portal for star rating of coal mines to promote the green, safe and sustainable mining practices with the help of technology. The web portal for star rating of coal mines enables all operational coal mines across India for self-rating, their subsequent validation by Coal Controller’s Organization (CCO), further evaluation and finally award of star rating. Coal Controller’s Organization will also issue an official certificate to all the mines mentioning their star rating. The Star Rating Policy for Coal Mines in India is:

The mines that score from 91 to 100% will get 5 star; The mines that score from 81 to 90% will get 4 star; The mines that score from 71 to 80% will get 3 star; The mines that score from 61 to 70% will get 2 star; The mines that score from 41 to 60% will get 1 star; The mines that score from 0 to 40% will get no star

2. ‘Engiexpo 2020’ to be held in Vadodara, Gujarat: The 6th edition of the mega industrial exhibition ‘Engiexpo 2020’ is being organised in Vadodara, Gujarat from February 15 to 17, 2020. The three-day mega exhibition will be organised by the Federation of Small Scale Industries (FSSI), to promote ‘Made in India’ products. Over 10,000 industrial products will be showcased in more than 300 stalls. Several companies from Uzbekistan are also participating in the exhibition.

Note: Federation of Small Scale Industries President: Dhankesh Patel; Federation of Small Scale Industries Headquarters: Vadodara, Gujarat.

3. NIFM, Faridabad to be renamed as Arun Jaitley National Institute of Financial Management: The Government of India has decided to rename National Institute of Financial Management (NIFM), Faridabad as Arun Jaitley National Institute of Financial Management (AJNIFM). The decision has been taken to pay tribute to former Union Finance Minister and Padma Vibhushan awardee late Shri Arun Jaitley. The Union Finance Minister is the President of the NIFM Society.

NIFM, Faridabad, was set up in 1993 as a registered society under Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, Government of India. The institute aims to train officers of various Finance and Accounts Services recruited by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) through the Civil Services Examination as also officers of Indian Cost Accounts Service (ICoAS).

4. National Water Conference started in Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath is the Chief Guest of the National Water Right Convention at Minto hall in Bhopal. The purpose of the conference is to finalize the guidelines for the Water Rights Act in Madhya Pradesh. The importance and revival of traditional water sources, right to water, river rejuvenation campaign in Madhya Pradesh and many other related topics are being discussed during the four sessions of the conference. The experts discussed that water conservation technological development should be included with traditional means to solve the growing water crisis.

5. Vice President releases the book ‘A Child of Destiny’: The Vice President of India M. Venkaiah Naidu released a book titled ‘A Child of Destiny’ an autobiography penned by Prof. K. Ramakrishna Rao. K. Ramakrishna Rao was an Eminent Scholar, Author, Researcher, Scientist and Gandhian, He was born in the coastal region in Vishakapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The Government of India awarded him “The Civilian Honour of Padma Shri in 2011”.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. 33rd African Union (AU) summit held in Ethiopia: The 33rd African Union (AU) Summit was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 9 February. The theme of the 2020 Summit was “Silencing the Guns: Creating conducive conditions for Africa’s development”. The two-day leaders’ summit was attended by more than 35 heads of state and government, as well as representatives of regional and international organizations. President of the Republic of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, is the newly elected Chairperson of the African Union for one year.

Note: The African Union (AU) is a continental union consisting of 55 member states located on the continent of Africa.

2. International Day of Women and Girls in Science: 11th February: International Day of Women and Girls in Science is being celebrated on 11th February to highlight the work of female scientists throughout its divisions and agencies. According to data from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), less than 30% of the world’s researchers are women. The day's purpose is to promote full and equal access to participation in science for women and girls.

Note: In December 2015, the United Nations adopted a resolution to celebrate February 11 as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.

3. World Unani Day: 11th February: The World Unani Day is celebrated globally on 11th February every year. The World Unani Day is celebrated globally to spread awareness about health care delivery with the help of Unani system of medicine through its preventive and curative philosophy. The World Unani Day also marks the birth anniversary of great Unani scholar Hakim Ajmal Khan. The Unani system of medicine was introduced in India by the Arabs and Persians sometime around the eleventh century.

4. China's CPI rose at their highest rate in more than 8 years: China's consumer price index (CPI) rose at their highest rate in more than eight years with inflation more than expected on the back of Lunar New Year demand and a deadly virus outbreak. The rise in January was the highest since October 2011 when CPI inflation was 5.5%. The consumer price index, a key gauge of retail inflation, came in at 5.4% last month with food prices spiked 20.6%.

5. Bangladesh to disinvest in 4 govt owned Banks: The government of Bangladesh has decided to start the process of disinvestment in four State-Owned Commercial Banks (SOCB) by October this year. The Bangladesh Development Bank Limited (BDBL), Agrani Bank Ltd, Janata Bank Ltd and Sonali Bank Ltd would be listed on the stock market while the share of Rupali Bank limited offered to the public would be raised from current 9.91% to 25%. Sonali Bank serves as the treasury of the government.

6. Kaamya Karthikeyan becomes youngest girl to climb Mt Aconcagua: India's Kaamya Karthikeyan (Mumbai-based) became the youngest girl in the world to summit Mount Aconcagua (6962-meter) the highest peak in South America. Kaamya had summited Ladakh's 6,260 metres Mt. Mentok Kangri II, under extreme cold weather conditions on August 24, 2019. Kaamya is studying in 7th standard at Navy Children School in Mumbai.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Australia presented with ICC Women’s Championship trophy: Australia was awarded the International Cricket Council (ICC) Women’s Championship trophy 2020. The ICC Women’s Championship has given hosts New Zealand and four top teams a direct place in the World Cup 2021. The remaining teams will play qualifiers through the Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2020 scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka from (3 - 19 July, 2020). Australia’s team was led by Meghann Moira Lanning, which also won this trophy last time (ie 1st edition 2014–16).

Note: Chairman of ICC: Shashank Manohar; Chief Executive: Manu Sahney; Headquarters: Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

2. India's Lalremsiami named as 2019 FIH Women's Rising Star of Year: India forward Lalremsiami (19-years) has been named as the 2019 FIH Women's Rising Star of the Year by the International Hockey Federation. Lalremsiami took the prize ahead of Argentina's Julieta Jankunas and Frederique Matla of the Netherlands. Lalremsiami first came into the wider hockey consciousness at the Hockey Women's World Cup in 2018 when she was one of the stand-out players of the tournament.

3. Aditya Mehta & Vidya Pillai wins National Snooker Championship: Aditya Mehta &Vidya Pillai has won the National Snooker Championship held in pune, Maharashtra. Aditya Mehta defeated the world champion Pankaj Advani to win the men’s title of the National Snooker Championship. While representing the Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB), he defeated Pankaj Advani with a score line of 6-2.

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. Lending from CRR buffer to get 5-year exemption: RBI: According to Reserve Bank of India, the special lending window with Cash Reserve Ratio exemption will be open from 14th of February this year. The incremental loans disbursed under this facility will have CRR exemption for the next five years. The window will open for six months ending 31st of July this year, but the Net Demand and Time Liabilities (NDTL) will be calculated as of 31st of January.

AWARDS AND HONOURS

1. Pullela Gopichand honoured with lifetime achievement award by IOC: India Chief badminton coach Pullela Gopichand has received an honourable mention in the male category of the 2019 International Olympic Committee's Coaches Lifetime Achievement Award. He is the 1st Indian coach to be honoured with this Lifetime award by the Olympics Committee. Gopichand founded the Gopichand Badminton Academy in 2008.Mr. Gopichand had received Government of India’s Arjuna award (1999), Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna (2001), Padma Shri (2005), Dronacharya award (2009) and Padma Bhushan (2014).

Note: International Olympic Committee Headquarters: Lausanne, Switzerland; President: Thomas Bach; Director General(DG): Christophe De Kepper.

DEFENCE

1. India and UK to hold joint military drill ‘Ajeya Warrior’: India and the United Kingdom will conduct their 5th edition of joint military exercise ‘Ajeya Warrior-2020’ at Salisbury Plains, the United Kingdom from February 13-26. The exercise comprises of 120 soldiers each from Indian and United Kingdom Army. The aim of this exercise is to conduct company level joint training with emphasis on counter terrorists operation in Urban and Semi Urban areas. The exercise is conducted alternatively in the United Kingdom and India. The exercise is being held from 2005.

Note: 28th Chief of Army Staff: General Manoj MukundNaravane.

OBITUARIES

1. Padma Shri awardee Giriraj Kishore passes away: Hindi novelist and Padma Shri awardee Giriraj Kishore passed away. He was best known for his novel ‘Pehla Girmitiya’ that was based on Mahatma Gandhi’s stay in South Africa. He was awarded the Padma Shri by the President of India and was the recipient of the Sahitya Akademi award. He was also conferred the Vyas Samman in 2000, and an honorary PhD by Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj University in 2002.

2. Veteran cricket journalist Raju Bharatan passes away: Noted cricket journalist and film historian Raju Bharatan (86-years) passed away following a prolonged illness. Bharatan, who wrote on Indian cricket and Bollywood music, worked for a weekly features magazine, The Illustrated Weekly of India, and an Indian films weekly newspaper, Screen.

Daily GK Updates - 10th February, 2020

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Uttarakhand flags off first Heli Services under UDAN: Under the Regional Connectivity Scheme “Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN)” of Government of India, Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has operationalized the first ever helicopter services in the state of Uttarakhand. The helicopter service has been operationalized by MoCA from Dehradun’s Sahastradhara helipad to Gauchar, and Chinyalisaur. The launch of heli routes in the Uttrakhand region aims to enhance the aerial connectivity of the hilly areas in the country.

Under the UDAN 2 bidding process, Heritage Aviation has been given the responsibility of operating the Sahastradhara-Gauchar-Chinyalisaur route. The Uttrakhand Government is also providing incentives to make the scheme more attractive. The inauguration of the helicopter services is expected to boost tourism sector in the Uttrakhand region. Present operationalised heli routes under the UDAN scheme are between Chandigarh to Shimla, Shimla to Dharamshala & Shimla to Kullu.

Note: Uttarakhand Chief Minister: Trivendra Singh Rawat; Governor: Baby Rani Maurya.

2. Hunar Haat inaugurated in Indore, Madhya Pradesh: Governor of Madhya Pradesh Lalji Tandon has inaugurated Hunar Haat in Indore. Union Minister of Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi was also present on this occasion. Hunar Haat is being organized till 16th February 2020. Governor stated that India is a country of diversity with every region having different art, culture, language, costumes.

The Hunar Haat has proved to be Mega Mission of economic empowerment of needy master artisans & craftsmen. Hunar Haat is an exhibition of handicrafts and traditional products made by artisans from the Minority communities. The Hunar Haat is organized by the Ministry of Minority Affairs.

3. Uttar Pradesh Govt to launch internship scheme for school college students: Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath has announced an internship scheme for the tenth, 12th and graduate students of the state to brighten employment prospects. Addressing a job fair organized by the Department of Labour and Employment Exchange in Gorakhpur, Yogi Adityanath stated that the state government will bring the internship scheme this year itself. Under the scheme, these students will be linked to various technical institutes and industries. During the internship of a period of six months or a year, each participating youth will be given 2500 rupees as honorarium every month. Out of this, rupees 1500 will be given by the Central Government and 1000 rupees by the State Government.

Note: Uttar Pradesh Governor: Anandiben Patel

4. NCL establishes R&D centre ‘SARAS’ for sustainable coal mining: The Northern Coalfields Ltd (NCL) has established a research and development centre, named ‘Science and Applied Research Alliance and Support (SARAS)’. This research and development centre focuses on the sustainable model for development in coal mining. The R&D centre will be the centre of excellence, infrastructure up-gradation and IT initiatives for the subsidiary of the Coal India Ltd.

Note: Chairman and Managing Director of the NCL: PK Sinha.

5. National Deworming Day: 10 February: The National Deworming Day is being observed on 10 February across the country. Children and adolescents in the age group of 1 to 19 years are being administered a single dose of a safe medicine Albendazole in all states and Union Territories on the occasion. The objective of the day is to deworm children and adolescents to reduce the prevalence of parasitic worms in the intestine. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare initiated the observation of the National Deworming Day. The first National Deworming Day in India was observed on 10 February 2015.

6. Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat campaign starts across country today: Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat Campaign (18-day) gets underway across the country, organised by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry. In 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had mooted the idea of a cultural connection between different regions. The objectives of Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat include celebrating the Unity in Diversity of our nation and promoting the spirit of national integration through engagement between all states and UT.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. ADB approves the funding of $2 million to combat Novel Coronavirus: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved the funding of USD 2 million to combat the spread of novel coronavirus (nCoV). The funds will support the efforts to stop the outspread of novel coronavirus (nCoV) by supplementing ongoing regional technical assistance and strengthening response capacity in China, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Myanmar. The funds will also help in boosting the supply of diagnostic and laboratory equipment for rapid testing to help in fight against the outbreak. The assistance will fund the development of recommendations for improved outbreak investigation and surveillance, including in rural areas, and the strengthening of health systems’ resilience and capacity for epidemic response.

Note: Asian Development Bank Headquarters: Manila, Philippines; President: Masatsugu Asakawa.

2. IIMB ranks 3 in the list of Top Business Schools of 2020: Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) has ranked 3rd in MOOCLab’s Business School Rankings 2020 for its provision, design and delivery of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). IIM Bangalore succeeds HEC Paris (France) and Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania (USA). The 2020 edition of the rankings has surveyed 16 business schools across the world offering courses on the three leading MOOC platforms: Coursera, edX and FutureLearn. This is the first-ever Business School rankings based on the provision of MOOCs.

3. 5th Dhaka Art Summit inaugurated in Bangladesh: The 5th edition of Dhaka Art Summit (biennial art extravaganza of Bangladesh) was inaugurated by State Minister for Cultural Affairs of Bangladesh K M Khalid. More than 500 artists, sculptors, architects and art professionals from various countries are participating in the Summit. The Summit will also featuring live events, panel discussions and puppet shows among other things.

Note: Prime Minister of Bangladesh: Sheikh Hasina; Capital: Dhaka; Currency: Taka.

4. World Pulses Day: 10 February: World Pulses Day proclaimed on February 10 of each year since 2019. World Pulses Day is a designated United Nations global event to recognize the importance of pulses (chickpeas, dry beans, lentils, dry peas and lupins among others) as a global food.

World Pulses Day is a recognition of the decisive role that pulses can play in achieving the comprehensive, far-reaching and people-centred set of universal and transformative goals and targets of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a plan of action that seeks to strengthen universal peace.

5. Astronomers discover Ultramassive Galaxy XMM-2599 from early universe: The International team of astronomers led by scientists at the University of California, United States (US) have discovered an Ultramassive monster galaxy dubbed as XMM-2599. This galaxy existed around 12 billion years ago just 1.8 billion years after the formation of the universe. The galaxy XMM-2599 was formed more than 1,000 solar masses a year in stars during the peak of the stars’ activity and was discovered by the astronomers during XMM-2599 inactive phase.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre Red wins Khelo India Ice Hockey tournament: The Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre (LSRC) Red won the first Men’s section Khelo India Ice Hockey tournament 2020, by defeating Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) team 3-2 in a nail-biting thriller final match. 13 teams participated in the Khelo India Ice Hockey Championship. Khelo India is an initiative taken by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to aware people about the importance of sports and fitness.

Note: Minister of State (IC) of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports: Kiren Rijiju.

AWARDS AND HONOURS

1. Oscars Award 2020 winners: The 2020 Oscars Awards has announced. It’s time to honour the movies of last year (2019) and the people directors, actors, writers, editors, and many more, who created them. The 92nd chapter of Hollywood’s most prestigious annual awards shows, overseen by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences held at Dolby Theatre in Los Angles, United States.

Winners are:

Best Picture- Parasite, Kwak Sin Ae and Bong Joon Ho, Producers

Actor in a Leading Role- Joaquin Phoenix, Joker

Actress in a Leading Role- Renee Zellweger, Judy

Best sound mixing- 1917

Best sound editing- Ford v Ferrari

Best supporting actress- Laura Dern for Marriage Story

Best supporting actor- Brad Pitt, Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood

Documentary short feature- Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If you’re a Girl)

Documentary feature- American Factory

Best costume design- Jacqueline Durran, Little Women

Best production design- Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood

Live-action short film- The Neighbors’ Window

Best adapted screenplay- Taika Waititi, Jojo Rabbit

Best original screenplay- Bong Joon-ho, Parasite

Animated short film- Hair Love

Animated feature film- Toy Story 4

Best Music (Original Score) - Joker, Hildur Guonadottir

Best Short Film (Animated) - Hair Love

Best Directing Film- Parasite, Bong Joon Ho

Best Cinematography- 1917, Roger Deakins

Best Writing (Original Screenplay) - Parasite

Best Music (Original Song) - “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again” from Rocketman

Visual Effects- 1917

Makeup and Hairstyling- Bombshell

OBITUARIES

1. American Author Roger Kahn passes away: American Author Roger Kahn passed away. He wrote at least 20 books in his lifetime. In 1989 he collaborated with Pete Rose for the Biography of legendary Boxer Jack Dempsey before Jack gets banned from the game. His best-selling book in 1972 “The Boys of Summer”.

2. Renowned thinker, writer P Parameswaran passes away in Kerala: Renowned thinker, writer and the founder-director of Bharatiya Vichara kendram P Parameswaran passed away at Ottapalam in Kerala. He was 91. Kendram P Parameswaran was awarded Padma Vibhushan in 2018 and Padma Shri in 2004.

Daily GK Updates - 9th February, 2020

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Haryana CM Launches Rs 1500 Crore Mukhya Mantri Parivar Samridhi Yojna: Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar officially launched the welfare scheme for poor families titled ‘Mukhya Mantri Parivar Samridhi Yojna, announced by the government in 2019’. Under the scheme, an annual assistance of Rs 6,000, in three equal installments of Rs 2000 each, will be provided to families having an annual income below Rs 1.80 lakh and land holdings up to five acres. Only those beneficiaries having ‘Parivar Pehchan Patra’ (family identification cards) can avail the benefits under the scheme. The state government has made budgetary provision of Rs 1500 crore under this scheme for the current fiscal. CM Khattar formally transferred the amount into the bank accounts of the beneficiary families for two equal installments of Rs 2000 each, (total of Rs 4000) on 7 February 2020. The third installment of Rs 2000 would be transferred in the month of March 2020.

2. National Conference on e-Governance 2020 Held in Mumbai: The 23rd edition of the National Conference on e-Governance was held at Mumbai, Maharashtra on 7-8 February 2020. The theme of the conference was: India 2020: Digital Transformation. The two-day conference was organised jointly by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India and Department of Information Technology, Government of Maharashtra. The Conference provided a platform to the senior officers of the Government to discuss, and exchange views relating to various e-Governance initiatives; disseminate knowledge on effective methods of designing and implementing sustainable e-Governance initiatives to provide end to end Digital Services and exchange experiences in solving problems, mitigating risks, resolving issues and planning for success.

3. 11th Auto Summit held in New Delhi: The Federation of Automobile Dealers Association (FADA) is organized the 11th Edition of Auto Summit 2020, in New Delhi. FADA Auto Summit is a biennial flagship convention for Indian automobile dealers that provide a common platform to deliberate on changing dynamics of auto retail and service industry besides identifying the challenges and opportunities. The theme of 2020 Auto Summit was ‘Thriving Amidst Disruption.’ Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship M N Pandey was the Chief Guest. Former cricketer Kapil Dev was the Guest of Honour. Ernst & Young was the knowledge partner for awards to be given this year. More than 1,500 auto experts, policymakers, representatives of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and industry experts participated in the event.

4. India’s First Glass Floor Suspension Bridge to come up in Uttarakhand’s Rishikesh: The Uttarakhand Government has approved the design of a glass floor suspension bridge, the first of its kind in the country, which will be built across the River Ganga in Rishikesh. The bridge is as an alternative to the iconic Lakshman Jhula, almost 94 years old, which was closed in 2019 due to safety reasons. The bridge design has been prepared by the Public Works Department (PWD), and is the first of its kind in India to have a floor made of toughened transparent glass.

Key Features of the Bridge: The Bridge will be built parallel to Lakshman Jhula, with a total width of 8 metres. It will consist of two toughened glass floors each with a width of 1.5 metres and as many 2.5-metre asphalt roads in between meant for light motor vehicles like two-wheelers. The toughened glass floor will be 3.5 inches thick with the capacity of bearing a load of more than 750 kg per square metre at a stretch. The span of the bridge will be 132.3 metres long with seven feet high toughened glass railings on either side of the structure. The life span of the bridge will be at least 150 years.

5. 1st look of biopic on former President APJ Abdul Kalam released: Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar released the first look of a biopic on former President APJ Abdul Kalam in New Delhi. Javadekar along with Producer and Director Madhur Bhandarkar and Hollywood Producer and Director Johnny Martin released a poster of the film on the occasion. Hollywood actor Muhammad Ali is playing Dr Kalam’s role in the movie.

6. Chhattisgarh Govt decides to impose permanent ban on hookah bars: In the Cabinet meeting of the Chhattisgarh chaired by Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, the state govt. has decided to cancel licenses issued for running hookah centres. The decision comes in the wake of complaints that school students, children and youth are getting attracted towards tobacco use and other addictions. The State Cabinet has also decided to close 49 liquor shops as part of its declared policy of gradually moving towards prohibition.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. India Slips to 40th Rank in 2020 U.S. Chamber International IP Index: India has been ranked at 40th position among 53 global economies in the 2020 International Intellectual Property (IP) Index, according to the report released by US Chamber of Commerce’s Global Innovation Policy Center on 5th February. This is the eighth edition of the annual U.S. Chamber International IP Index, with the theme “The Art of the Possible.” Last year India was ranked at 36th position out of 50 countries. However, India’s score increased from 36.04 percent in 2019 to 38.46 percent in 2020, a 2.42 per cent jump.

Top 5 Economies in the Index

United States – 95.28

United Kingdom – 93.92

France – 91.50

Germany – 91.08

Sweden – 90.56

Venezuela is the lowest ranking country in the index at 53rd spot with a score of 14.22

2. US announce Launch of 27-Nation International Religious Freedom Alliance: The United States has announced the launch of a 27-nation International Religious Freedom Alliance. This new Alliance will try to adopt a collective approach in protecting and preserving religious freedom across the world. Among the prominent countries to join the alliance are Australia, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Israel, Ukraine, the Netherlands and Greece. As per the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, it is an Alliance of “like-minded partners who treasure, and fight for, international religious freedom for every human being”.

3. BBIN nations deliberate on MoU for implementation of motor vehicle agreement: A meeting of the BBIN nations (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal) was held in New Delhi on 8 February 2020 to deliberate on a proposed MoU, to be signed by Bangladesh, India and Nepal, for implementation of the Motor Vehicle Agreement (MVA) in these countries. Representatives of Bhutan participated in the meeting in an observer capacity. The meeting was held to discuss the Passenger protocol and Cargo protocol, which will give effect to the Motor Vehicles Agreement (MVA), for the regulation of passenger, personal and cargo vehicular traffic among Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal, signed on June 15, 2015. The Indian delegation was led by Vikram Doraiswami, Additional Secretary, and Ministry of External Affairs.

4. Nepal to count LGBT population in census for first time: Nepal’s upcoming national census will for the first time count the LGBT population in the Himalayan nation in order to better allocate government jobs and education set aside for minority groups. The exact population of LGBT would help determine how much of the quota in these jobs and education will go to them. A new constitution adopted in 2015 forbids all discrimination based on sexual orientation, reaffirming a 2008 Supreme Court ruling.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Bangladesh wins ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup 2020: Bangladesh has won the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup 2020 held in South Africa. Bangladesh Under-19 cricket team defeated India Under-19 team by 3 wickets to win the final of the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup 2020 held at JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom, South Africa. In final, Bangladesh first restricted India to a meagre 177 in 47.2 overs and then did well enough to score a revised target of 170 in 42.1 overs. For India, Yashaswi Jaiswal scored 88 runs off 121 balls. Bangladeshi skipper Akbar Ali was declared the Player of the Match for his captaincy and unbeaten 43.

Note: Chairman of International Cricket Council: Shashank Manohar; Chief Executive: Manu Sahney; Headquarters: Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

2. Armand Duplantis breaks Pole Vault World Record: Swedish Armand Duplantis broke the world record in the pole vault with a jump of 20 feet 2 ¾ inches, or 6.17 meters. At an indoor meet in Torun, Poland, Duplantis edged by a centimetre the previous record set in 2014 by Renaud Lavillenie of France, the 2012 Olympic champion. He will represent Sweden, his mother’s home country, instead of the United States at the Olympics.

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. Moody’s Projects India’s growth at 4.9% in FY20, 5.5% in FY21: Moody’s Investors Service has projected India’s GDP growth during the current fiscal ending 31 March 2020 at 4.9 percent (unchanged). For the fiscal 2020-21, GDP growth is estimated at 5.5 percent compared to December 2019 estimate of 6.3 percent. And for 2021-22 fiscal, GDP growth is estimated at 6 percent from 6.7 percent projected earlier.

Summary

2019-20 – 4.9%

2020-21 – 5.5%

2021-22 – 6%

DEFENCE

1. Army gets upgraded 155mm artillery gun at Defexpo: The Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) handed over Sharang, the first 130mm M-46 artillery gun upgraded to 155mm to the Indian Army. It was formally handed over by OFB Chairman Hari Mohan to Army Chief Gen. Manoj Naravane at the ongoing Defexpo. The Army had issued the Request For Proposal (RFP) in 2013 for both OFB and private industry. The gun’s range has now gone from 27km to over 36km with the upgrade.

Daily GK Updates - 8th February, 2020

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Andhra Pradesh CM Inaugurates First Disha Police Station in Rajamahendravaram: The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy on inaugurated the first ‘Disha Police Station’ in Rajamahendravaram city on 8 February 2020, which will exclusively handle cases of crime against women and children. In all 18 Disha Police Stations will be set up in all 13 districts of the state, under the Disha Act, enacted by the state government in 2019, to ensure speedy investigation and trial of sexual assault cases. The state government has allocated a budget of Rs 21.10 crore for the setting up of these police stations. Each Disha Police station will be headed by a deputy superintendent of police. Under the Disha law, the state government is also opening 13 special courts (one-stop centre) in each district for expeditious trial of such cases. Each centre will have 19 staffers and will act as the first point of contact to victims. This Act prescribes death penalty where rape or gangrape is established.

Note: Governor of Andhra Pradesh: Biswabhushan Harichandan; Capital: Amaravati

2. Madhya Pradesh to use drones for mapping villages: The Madhya Pradesh (MP) govternment has decided to use drones for mapping villages. The Revenue department of MP has signed an agreement in this regard with the Survey of India. So far, land survey work is being done either manually or with the help of satellite images in MP. Drones will be used for the mapping of 55 thousand villages of the state on a scale of 1: 500.

Note: Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh: Kamal Nath; Governor: Lal Ji Tandon.

3. SC appoints CNR Nair to make inventory of ornaments at Sabarimala temple: The Supreme Court has appointed retired Kerala High Court judge C N Ramachandaran Nair to prepare an inventory and valuation report of ornaments of Lord Ayyappa of Sabarimala temple. The SC has allowed taking assistance of a jeweller for valuation of ornaments and should file its report in a sealed cover. The court granted four more weeks to the state government to prepare draft legislation regarding the administration of the historic Sabarimala temple.

Note: Chief Minister of Kerala: Pinarayi Vijayan; Governor: Arif Mohammed Khan.

4. Ease of Living Index and Municipal Performance Index 2019 Launched: The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has launched Ease of living index (EoLI) 2019 and Municipal Performance Index (MPI) 2019. Using MPI, the Ministry will assess the performance of municipalities based on 5 enablers namely Service, Finance, Planning, Technology and Governance. EoLI 2019 will facilitate the assessment of ease of living of citizens across three pillars: Quality of Life, Economic Ability and Sustainability.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. World Bank Chief Economist Pinelopi Koujianou Announces Resignation: World Bank Chief Economist Pinelopi Koujianou Goldberg has announced to step down from the post with effect from 1st March 2020. She is resigning to return to teaching at Yale University and create opportunities for the poor young talented economists to the bank. The World Bank President David Malpass has announced that the organisation’s research director Aart Kraay would take over as the Chief Economist in place of Goldberg until a new permanent chief economist is hired.

Note: A graduate of University of Freiburg in Germany and Stanford University in the United States, Goldberg was the first editor in chief of the American Economic Review and taught economics at Yale before joining the bank.

President of World Bank: David Robert Malpass; Managing Director(MD) and Chief Financial Officer(CFO): Anshula Kant.

2. Nepal inks financial closure of its largest hydropower project with India: India and Nepal inked financial closure of Nepal's largest hydropower project, the Arun-III being built with India's assistance. India has pledged an investment of NPR 100 Billion for the 900 MW mega hydropower project being built in Arun River in Nepal’s Sankhuwasabha District. India’s Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) and Arun-III Power Development Company has signed the financial closure of the project with 7 banks in Kathmandu, Nepal.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Haryana wins 10th Hockey India Senior Women National Championship: Haryana thrashed Sports Authority of India (SAI) 6-0 to win the 10th Hockey India Senior Women National Championship 2020 (A Division) title at Kollam. Manisha was the first to get on the score sheet for Haryana in the 19th minute. Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy beat Hockey Maharashtra 2-1 in the third-fourth place play-off match.

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. PFRDA Doubles Minimum Net Worth for Pension Fund Managers to Rs 50 cr: The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA), the regulator of the National Pension System (NPS), has made certain amendments in the pension guidelines. These are as follows:

Minimum Net Worth: The regulator has doubled the minimum net worth requirement for pension fund managers to Rs 50 crore from the Rs 25 crore stipulated earlier.

Validity of License: Provision has also been made for licenses to have indefinite validity. Earlier, the licenses of pension fund managers was granted for a period of five years. But now, the license will remain valid until cancelled by the regulator.

2. WhatsApp gets NPCI nod to expand its UPI services to 10 million users: Facebook-owned instant messaging platform WhatsApp has received the approval from the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to expand its United Payment Interface (UPI) services to 10 million users. WhatsApp’s payment feature, named WhatsApp Pay, has developed by the NPCI to run on UPI. It allows users to pay others or do business transactions through their bank accounts. WhatsApp has been running a pilot UPI services for one million users since the rollout of the project in 2018, and has struggled to get a full-fledged licence since then.

AWARDS AND HONOURS

1. Manoj Das received the Mystic Kalinga Literary Award: Noted Odia writer Manoj Das awarded the Mystic Kalinga Literary Award during the Mystic Kalinga Festival (MKF) in Bhubaneswar. The Award is conferred to a person who has made a significant contribution to the literature and culture of Odia. The writer recently received the country’s third-highest civilian award- Padma Bhushan, for his contribution in the field of literature and education. He had also been awarded the Saraswati Samman.

DEFENCE

1. Indian Army Major Anoop Mishra Develops world’s first “bulletproof helmet”: The Indian Army Major Anoop Mishra has developed a bulletproof helmet, which is claimed to be first such in the world, that can stop an AK-47 bullet round from a distance of 10 meters. The “ballistic helmet” has been developed under project Abhedya, by the officer, who is part of the Indian Army’s College of Military Engineering, Pune. In December 2019, Major Anoop Mishra had also developed a bulletproof jacket named ‘Sarvatra’ that could effectively provide full-body protection to troops from lethal sniper rifle bullets. Besides this, the College of Military Engineering jointly with a private firm has developed India’s first and world’s cheapest gunshot locator. The locator can locate the exact location of the bullet from distance of 400 meters which will help to locate and neutralise terrorists faster.

2. HAL received approval to produce light utility helicopter: The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) received initial clearance from DRDO for its light utility helicopter (LUH). The clearance will pave way production of LUH. LUH will replace the ageing Cheetah and Chetak helicopters. The announcement was made on the ongoing Def-Expo in Lucknow. HAL will be manufacturing indigenously designed and developed 200 helicopters that are to meet the operational requirements of the Indian Army and IAF.

Daily GK Updates - 7th February, 2020

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. SC notifies all states to established Gram Nyayalayas: The Supreme Court has directed the states to establish Gram Nyayalayas within four weeks’. Gram Nyayalayas are mobile village courts established under Gram Nyayalayas Act, 2008. They are aimed at providing speedy and inexpensive justice to people in rural areas at their doorsteps. The Gram Nyayalayas should be established for every Panchayat at the intermediate level or a group of contiguous Panchayats at an intermediate level in a district or where there is no Panchayat at an intermediate level in any State for a group of contiguous Panchayats.

Note: Chief Justice of India: Sharad Arvind Bobde; Founded: 28th January 1950.

2. ‘Pink City’ becomes certified UNESCO World Heritage City: Jaipur “The Pink City” has been certified by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) as the World Heritage site. The certification was done by the UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay during an event held in Jaipur, Rajasthan. As part of certification, the World Heritage City certificate was handover by UNESCO Director General to Minister of Urban Development Shanti Dhariwal.

Note: CM of Rajasthan: Ashok Gehlot; Governor: Kalraj Mishra; Capital: Jaipur.

3. “Central Asia Business Council” launched in New Delhi: The “Central Asia Business Council” was launched in New Delhi. The event was organized by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) and addressed by India’s External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar. This was the first instance when the business chambers of all five Central Asian states i.e. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan, were brought together by India to push trade and investment partnership.

4. 22nd India International Seafood Show (IISS) 2020 to be held in Kochi: The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), under Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, in association with the Seafood Exporters Association of India (SEAI), is organizing the 22nd edition of India International Seafood Show (IISS) 2020 in Kochi from 7-9 February 2020. The theme of this year’s seafood show is “Blue Revolution- Beyond Production to Value Addition” The biennial event provides a platform for Indian exporters and overseas importers of Indian marine products to interact and finalize future business dealings, thus paving way for Foreign Direct Investment in India. Over 200 exhibitors, 350 stalls and more than 5000 delegates, including foreign delegates, are expected to attend the three-day event at Kochi.

Note: Chairman of Marine Products Export Development Authority: K.S. Srinivas; Marine Products Export Development Authority headquarters: Kochi; Marine Products Export Development Authority founded: 1972.

5. Telangana CM to inaugurate 11-km stretch of elevated Hyderabad Metro Rail: Today, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao will inaugurate the 11-km stretch of corridor-II of elevated Hyderabad Metro Rail. The stretch will join Secunderabad and Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station in Hyderabad facilitating bus commuters with two major Railway Stations in the State Capital. Hyderabad Metro is the second-largest metro service after Delhi in the country and the largest one in the world under PPP mode.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Britain’s Prince unveils children’s protection fund for India: Britain’s Prince Charles has unveiled a new children’s protection fund for India as part of British Asian Trust. The charity founded by him in 2007 to fight poverty in South Asia. American singer Katy Perry will be the ambassador of the new fund.

Note: British Asian Trust was chaired by Indian-origin businessman Manoj Badale; British Asian Trust founded: 2007; British Asian Trust founder: Prince Charles.

2. 5th India-Russia Military Industrial Conference held in Lucknow: The fifth India-Russia Military Industrial Conference was held on the sidelines of the ongoing Def Expo 2020 in Lucknow. The India-Russia Military Industrial Conference was attended by over 100 Russian and over 200 Indian industry leaders. 14 MoUs were signed between Indian and Russian companies under the Make in India initiative. The MoUs were signed to produce different defence equipment like parts of T-72, T-90, ASW Rocket launchers, radar systems and 3D modelling.

3. India becomes second largest steel producer of Crude Steel: As per World Steel Association data, India became the second-largest steel producer of crude steel after China 2019, by replacing Japan. India’s crude steel production in 2019 was at 111.2 MT, an increase of 1.7 per cent from 109.3 MT in 2018. China remains number one with 996.3 million tonnes in 2019.

Here is the list of Top 5 Crude steel producers in the world in 2019:

Rank	Country	Qty (mt)
1	China	996.3
2	India	111.2
3	Japan	99.3
4	USA	87.9
5	Russia	71.6

Note: Union Minister of Steel: Dharmendra Pradhan.

4. Sri Lankan PM Mahinda Rajapaksa on 5–day visit to India:Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived in New Delhi on a five-day state visit to India. During the visit, Mr Rajapaksa will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and call on President Ram Nath Kovind. He will be accorded a ceremonial reception at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan. Prime Minister Rajapaksa is also scheduled to visit Varanasi, Sarnath, Gaya and Tirupati.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Mirabai Chanu sets new national record to win gold at Senior National Weightlifting Championships: The 72nd Men and 35th Women Senior National Weightlifting Championships 2019-20 is going on in Kolkata from 2-7 February 2020. Former world champion weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu beat her own national record to win the 49 kg gold at the Championships. Manipur-based Mirabai lifted a total of 203 kg to win the gold, bettering her previous record of 201 kg which she had achieved at the World Championships in Thailand in 2019. With this, she has been elevated to fourth place in the world rankings behind China’s Jiang Huihua (212kg) and Hou Zhihui (211kg) and Korea’s Ri Song Gum (209kg). In addition to this, Services lifter Sambo Lapung scripted a new National record to take the gold medal in men’s 89kg, lifting total of 333kg.

Other gold medal winners include:

Papul Changmai (SSCB) – men’s 81kg

Sambo Lapung (SSCB) – men’s 89kg

Jeremy Lalrinnunga (Mizoram) – men’s 67kg

Rakhi Halder (West Bengal) – women’s 64kg

Lalchhanhimi (Mizoram) – women’s 71kg

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. RBI to conduct “Financial Literacy Week 2020”: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will conduct the “Financial Literacy Week 2020″ from February 10 to February 14, 2020. The theme of the Financial Literacy Week 2020 is “Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)”. This year India’s central bank is focusing on the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. The Financial Literacy Week 2020 will aim to aware people about the formalisation, collateral free loan, discounting of receivables, rehabilitation of stressed units and timely repayment.

Note: RBI 25th Governor: Shaktikant Das; Headquarters: Mumbai; Founded: 1 April 1935, Kolkata.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

1. Flipkart shuts down fashion portal Jabong, to focus fully on Myntra: E-commerce marketplace Flipkart is downing shutters on Jabong and the portal is now redirecting the users to the Myntra website. Flipkart (Walmart-owned) had acquired Jabong for USD 70 million (in 2016) and acquired fashion e-commerce platform Myntra (in May 2014). In November 2018, Walmart acquisition, Flipkart merged both Myntra and Jabong.

2. LinkedIn CEO Jeff Weiner steps down after 11 years: LinkedIn CEO Jeff Weiner is stepping down after 11 years at the helm of the popular professional social networking company owned by Microsoft. Ryan Roslansky, senior vice president of product, will become CEO as of June 1. Roslansky has been at LinkedIn for more than 10 years. He will report to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and join Microsoft’s senior leadership team. During Weiner’s tenure, LinkedIn’s revenue increased to more than USD 7.5 billion in the trailing 12 months from USD 78 million. Microsoft acquired LinkedIn for $26 billion in 2016.

Note: LinkedIn Corp: Founded: 2002.

LinkedIn Corp: Headquarters: Sunnyvale, California, United States.

3. Rishabh Pant becomes brand ambassador of JSW Steel: Jindal South West (JSW) Steel has appointed Indian cricketer Rishabh Pant as its brand ambassador. Pant will help promote JSW’s steel products which include Colouron+ colour-coated sheets and JSW Neosteel TMT bars, for a three year period.

Note: JSW steel Founded: 1982; JSW steel Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra; JSW steel Founder: Sajjan Jindal.

4. IOC signs 1st term contract for Russian crude oil: Indian Oil Corp (IOC) and Russian Rosneft signed 1st term contract for importing 2 Million Metric Tonnes of Urals grade crude oil to India for the year 2020. India is the 3rd largest Energy Consumer in the world, India imports globally 83% of oil to meet its oil need. India has to enlarge its sources for oil imports away from the Middle East oil-producing countries.

Note: Headquarters of Indian Oil Corp: New Delhi, Mumbai (Registered Office)

Founded of Indian Oil Corp: 1959; Chairman of Indian Oil Corp: Sanjiv Singh.

AWARDS AND HONOURS

1. President Kovind Presents International Gandhi Awards for Leprosy 2019: The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, presented the International Gandhi Awards for Leprosy for the year 2019 to Dr N.S. Dharmashaktu under the Indian nomination (individual) category and the Leprosy Mission Trust under the institutional category on February 6, 2020, New Delhi. The annual award has been instituted by Gandhi Memorial Leprosy Foundation to recognise the work of individuals and organisations who have worked tirelessly to fight this disease and the prejudices associated with it. The award has been launched to commemorate the compassion that Gandhiji possessed and service he rendered towards people afflicted with leprosy.