Hello and welcome to exampundit. Here are the important Current Affairs Today 10th and 11th May 2020. These are important for the upcoming Exams. Candidates who were preparing for the examination can use these current affairs and also you can download the same as PDF.
Current Affairs Today – 10th and 11th May 2020
NEWS AT A GLANCE
- National Technology Day is observed on 11 May.
- Mother’s day is celebrated on every second Sunday of May month and this year, it’s falling on 10th May 2020.
- Data from the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) stated that April Immediate Payment System (IMPS) numbers have reduced to a two-year low.
- State Bank of India(SBI) General Insurance has launched the standard health insurance policy named “Aarogya Sanjeevani Health Insurance Policy”.
- Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd has announced the launch of an online vehicle ownership platform named “Own-Online’.
- The Carlyle Group, an United States(US) based private equity firm acquired 74% stake in SeQuent Scientific Limited, the largest animal healthcare company from India for Rs.1,587 crore($210 million) for Rs.86 apiece.
- GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK), a British multinational pharmaceutical company, has sold its 5.7 % stake in Indian FMCG ( fast-moving consumer goods) company Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) for $3.35 billion (about 254.8 billion rupees) in the stock market through a largest ever block deal.
- The Supreme Court (SC) brought cooperative banks under the Securitization and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Act of 2002 (Sarfaesi Act) that empowers lenders to seize and sell defaulters’ assets.
- Government of India launched “Mission Sagar” on 10 May.
- Indian Railways has decided to operate “Shramik Special” trains.
- Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers reported that National Fertilizers Ltd, a PSU under GoI, registered a 71% growth in fertilizer sales in April 2020.
- The Registration Committee (RC) under the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIBRC) recommended a complete ban on the use of antibiotics streptomycin and tetracycline on crops with immediate effect.
- Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued Standard Operating Protocol (SOP) to facilitate the movement of persons by train amid lockdown imposed to contain COVID-19 spread.
- Dehradun Smart City Limited (DSCL) has utilized the Integrated Command and Control Centre for monitoring and surveillance activities in the fight against coronavirus.
- The Tamil Nadu government has constituted a high-Level Committee to assess the overall immediate and medium-term impact of COVID-19 on the state’s economy.
- Uttar Pradesh has become the first state in India to install ventilator-beds in all the government-run district hospitals in all 75 districts of the state.
- In Madhya Pradesh, the state government is preparing to create huge self-employment opportunities in the state through small and cottage industries.
- The Sikkim Legislative Assembly with a 32-member state legislature passed the budget of Rs 9,100 crores for the fiscal 2020-21 comprising Rs. 7343.60 as revenue expenditure, and Rs. 1756.40 as capital expenditure in the 2nd Session of 10th Assembly (Budget Session 2020-21) on March 24.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN’s postal agency have released a commemorative postage stamp on 9 May to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the eradication of smallpox.
- In a significant decision , the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has decided to raise value added tax (VAT) from 5 percent to 15 percent starting from 1st July.
- As part of the Government of India outreach amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Indian Naval Ship Kesari has departed for Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar and Comoros, to provide Food Items, COVID related Medicines including HCQ Tablets and Special Ayurvedic Medicines with Medical Assistance Teams embarked, on 10 May 20.
- Ministry of Tourism organized the 17th session of the Dekho Apna Desh webinar on 9 April 2020. The webinar was titled ‘Exploring River Nila’ was about showcasing meaningful travel experiences for travelers that are offered by relatively unvisited places.
- The Technology Development Board (TDB) a statutory body of the Department of Science & Technology (DST) along with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) will organise a high-level digital conference on ‘Rebooting the Economy through Science, Technology and Research Translations (RESTART)’ on May 11, 2020, to celebrate the National Technology Day.
- Data released by the Registrar General of India stated that India’s infant mortality rate (IMR) has improved very marginally from 33 per 1,000 live births in 2017 to 32 in 2018.
- The International Energy Agency (IEA) released the Global Energy Review in 2020.
- Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has entered into a tie-up with the India Post for delivery of its coronavirus COVID-19 testing kits.
- Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) partners with Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL) for developing indigenous Covid 19 vaccine.
- Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director Abidali Z Neemuchwala of Wipro Limited has decided to step down due to family commitments.
- ELSA Corp (English Language Speech Assistant Corporation) India, the education technology company based out of the US (United States), has appointed Indian Test team vice-captain Ajinkya Madhukar Rahane (31) as its brand ambassador for India, Middle East, ANZ (Australia & New Zealand) and SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation).
- Indu Shekhar Chaturvedi assumed charge as new Secretary, Ministry of New & Renewable Energy on 11 May 2020.
- The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has formed a six-membered committee that will prepare Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the phased resumption of training of sports after the lockdown due to COVID-19 is lifted.
- International Hockey Federation (FIH) has extended the term of Narinder Batra as President of FIH until May 2021.
- A book titled “Fear of God” has been authored by Bommadevara Sai Chandravadhan. He is popularly known as Vadhan.
- Hyderabad based Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) premier lab, has developed Defence Research Ultraviolet Sanitiser (DRUVS), an automated contactless ultraviolet C (UVC) sanitisation cabinet.
- Department of Biotechnology and Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) had invited applications for COVID-19 Research Consortium to urgently develop safe and effective Biomedical solutions against SARS CoV-2.
- The Drug Controller General of India (DGCI) approved the clinical trials of the drugs namely, phytopharmaceutical and favipiravir for the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
- Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune has developed and validated the indigenous IgG ELISA test ‘COVID KAVACH ELISA’ for antibody detection for COVID-19.
- Founder of Kodava Family Hockey Tournament, Pandanda Kuttappa passed away.
- Eminent historian Hari Shankar Vasudevan passed away due to COVID-19.
NEWS IN DETAILS
IMPORTANT DAYS AND THEMES
National Technology Day is observed on 11 May
- National Technology Day is observed on 11 May.
- The day highlights the importance of science in daily life.
- It also encourages youngsters to get into the field for their career options.
Events:
- Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Science and Technology (DBT) is conducting a session on YouTube. Digital Conference will focus on RE-START ‘Reboot the Economy through Science, Technology And Research Translations.’ It will focus on rebooting the economy through Science and Technology.
- The conference aims to bring together Scientists, Technocrats, Diplomats, World Health Organization (WHO) officials and dignitaries from national and international Industries, Research Institutions, and Academic Institutions.
History:
- The observance of the National Technology Day was coined by late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The day has been designated to commemorate the major technological breakthroughs, achievements, and contributions of Indian scientists and engineers.
- On 11 May 1998, India tested the nuclear tests at Pokhran. Also, on that day India conducted its nuclear missile Shakti, also known as Operation Shakti. The day aims to recognize the country’s technological advancements.
Mother’s day 2020 observed on 10 May
- Mother’s day is celebrated on every second Sunday of May month and this year, it’s falling on 10th May 2020.
- Mother’s Day is widely known to salute the motherhood, to extend the influence of mothers within the society, to extend the maternal bonds to children, etc.
- Mother, being a protector throughout her life loves her children unconditionally.
- She plays a special role sort of a teacher, best friend and one’s who besides us under all circumstances.
History of Mother’s Day:
- In 1908, Mother’s Day was first celebrated, when Anna Jarvis held a memorial for her mother at St Andrew’s Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia to honour her mother.
- In 1905, her campaign to make Mother’s Day a recognized holiday in the United States began, It was the year her mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis died. Anna Jarvis was a peace activist who cared for wounded soldiers on both sides of the American Civil War.
- In 1914 President Woodrow Wilson declared second Sunday of May as an official holiday in the United States.
BANKING AND FINANCE CURRENT AFFAIRS
IMPS transfers in April dive to 2-year low due to lockdown
- Data from the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) stated that April Immediate Payment System (IMPS) numbers have reduced to a two-year low.
- The dive in the retail interbank transfers is due to the COVID-19 lockdown.
Highlights:
- Transactions using the IMPS platform in April stood at 12.2 crore, while 24.7 crore transactions were done in February 2020.
- The platform is used mostly by migrant labour and small businesses.
- In the case of Unified Payment Interface (UPI), an app-based payment, there has been a significant drop as well from 132 crore in February to less than 100 crore in April.
- As the limit of IMPS is Rs.2 lakh, it is mostly used by small businesses.
- More than the limit, one has to use RTGS. Hence, larger corporates and mid-cap companies prefer RTGS for bulk payments such as salary credits to employees and vendor payment.
Extra Shots:
NPCI: The National Payments Corporation of India is an umbrella organisation for operating retail payments and settlement systems in India.
- Headquarters location: Mumbai
- Founded: 2008
- Number of employees: 1,000
- Type of business: Section 8 Company
- Founders: Reserve Bank of India, Indian Banks’ Association
IMPS: Immediate Payment Service is an instant payment inter-bank electronic funds transfer system in India. IMPS offers an inter-bank electronic fund transfer service through mobile phones. Unlike RTGS, the service is available 24×7 throughout the year including bank holidays. NEFT is also made available 24×7 from Dec 2019.
- Owner: National Payments Corporation of India
- Founded: 22 November 2010
- Operating area: India
SBI General Insurance launches “Arogya Sanjeevani” Health Insurance Policy
- State Bank of India(SBI) General Insurance has launched the standard health insurance policy named “Aarogya Sanjeevani Health Insurance Policy”.
- This policy provides hospitalisation cover anywhere in India with sums insured ranging from Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 5 lakhs.
- This policy has been designed at the instance of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) with standard coverage and affordable premiums.
- Arogya Sanjeevani Policy will cover the hospitalisation treatment cost of COVID–19 and will help in making affordable health care more accessible in times like these.
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
Mahindra & Mahindra launches digital sales platform ‘Own-Online’
- Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd has announced the launch of an online vehicle ownership platform named “Own-Online’.
- The portal will offer an end-to-end sales experience for prospective buyers. It will also help customers to finance, insure, exchange, accessorize, and own a Mahindra vehicle from home.
Extra Shots:
Mahindra & Mahindra Limited is an Indian multinational car manufacturing corporation headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. It was established in 1945 as Muhammad & Mahindra and later renamed as Mahindra and Mahindra.
- Parent organization: Mahindra Group
- CEO: Anand Mahindra
74% stake of SeQuent bought by Carlyle for Rs 1,587 crore
- The Carlyle Group, an United States(US) based private equity firm acquired 74% stake in SeQuent Scientific Limited, the largest animal healthcare company from India for Rs.1,587 crore($210 million) for Rs.86 apiece.
- SeQuent is a pure-play animal healthcare company with global operations and provides pharmaceutical ingredients, formulations and analytical services in more than 100 countries and manufacturing in India, Spain, Turkey, Germany and Brazil.
- Carlyle acquired 183 million shares from the promoters and a mandatory offer at Rs 86 per share.
- The promoters of the company sold a 44.92% stake and Carlyle agreed to buy 5.69% of the existing private equity investor Ascent Capital.
Extra Shots:
SEBI:
- Chairman: Ajay Tyagi
- Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO): ArtiChhabraSrivastava
- Headquarters:Mumbai
- Established: April 12, 1992
Britain’s GlaxoSmithKline sells 5.7 % stake in Hindustan Unilever for $3.35 billion
- GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK), a British multinational pharmaceutical company, has sold its 5.7 % stake in Indian FMCG ( fast-moving consumer goods) company Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) for $3.35 billion (about 254.8 billion rupees) in the stock market through a largest ever block deal.
- However, the names of the buyers could not be immediately ascertained.
- GSK sold 133.77 million ordinary shares in Hindustan Unilever by its subsidiaries GlaxoSmithKline Pvt Ltd and Horlicks Ltd for an average price of Rs.1905.
- With this, the company raises Rs 254.8 billion.
- The cash injection will help GSK to boost its drug development pipeline, having made costly bets on experimental cancer treatments and future cell and gene therapies amid slowest revenue growth.
ExtraShots:
GlaxoSmithKline plc:
- Headquarters: Brentford, United Kingdom
- CEO: Emma Walmsley
Hindustan Unilever Limited:
- Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Chairman & Managing Director: Sanjiv Mehta
NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
SC places cooperative banks under Sarfaesi Act on a par with other lenders
- The Supreme Court (SC) brought cooperative banks under the Securitization and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Act of 2002 (Sarfaesi Act) that empowers lenders to seize and sell defaulters’ assets.
Sarfaesi Act:
- The move by the apex court aims to boost the cooperative banks that play a vital role in financial inclusion across large swathes of India.
- The cooperative banks come under the category of banks as defined under Section 2(1)(c) of the Sarfaesi Act. Hence, the recovery procedures mentioned under the law will be applied to the cooperative banks as well.
- Under Sarfaesi Act, the secured creditors can take possession of the assets of a borrower who fails to pay dues within 60 days of demanding repayment.
- The judgment stated that cooperative banks were bound by the provisions of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, and all the other legislation applicable to banks under the RBI Act. Now, the cooperative banks will have to comply with these rules.
- Cooperative banks will now be involved in banking activities that are covered u/s 5(c) & 56(a) of the Banking Regulation Act.
- As per the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) report, as of 31 March 2018, there are 1,551 urban cooperative banks (UCBs), and 96,612 rural cooperative banks (as on 31 March 2017). The rural cooperative banks account for 65.8% of the total asset size of all cooperative banks.
Centre launched Mission Sagar for assistance to Indian Ocean nations amid COVID-19 crisis
- Government of India launched “Mission Sagar” on 10 May.
- The aim is to provide assistance to Indian Ocean Region Nations amid the coronavirus crisis.
- The operation is being progressed in coordination with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
- The mission is in line with the Prime Minister’s vision of SAGAR.
Mission Sagar:
- The mission is a part of the Government of India outreach amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Under the mission, Indian Naval Ship (INS) Kesari has departed for Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar, and Comoros, to provide Food Items, COVID related Medicines including HCQ Tablets and Special Ayurvedic Medicines with Medical Assistance Teams.
- The Ship will deliver consignments of COVID related essential medicines including Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) tablets, to Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros and Seychelles and about 600 tonnes of food items to the Maldives.
SAGAR Vision:
- In 2015, GoI introduced its vision of the Indian Ocean called Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR).
- The aim is to seek economic and security cooperation with India’s neighbours, especially maritime neighbours, under the vision.
- Under this vision, India would cooperate on the exchange of information, the building of infrastructure, coastal surveillance, and strengthening mutual capabilities with its neighbour countries.
Indian Railways operates Shramik Special trains across the country amid lockdown
- Indian Railways has decided to operate “Shramik Special” trains.
- The operation of the trains aims to help the migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists, students, and other people who are stranded at different places due to lockdown.
Highlights:
- In these special Shramik Special Trains, a maximum of around 1200 passengers can travel observing social distancing.
- The passengers will be screened properly before boarding the train. During the journey, passengers will be given free meals and water.
- Also, these trains have ferried migrants to cities like Tiruchchirappalli, Titlagarh, Barauni, Khandwa, Jagannathpur, Khurda Road, Prayagraj, Chhapra, Balia, Gaya, Purnia, Varanasi, Darbhanga, Gorakhpur, Lucknow, Jaunpur, Hatia, Basti, Katihar, Danapur, Muzzaffarpur, Saharsa, etc. in the country.
- Indian Railways has terminated the operation of trains in various states like Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal.
- The special Trains are being run by Railways only after concurrence is given both by the State which is sending the passengers and the State which is receiving them
- As of 10 May 2020, a total of 366 Shramik Special trains have been operationalized from various states across the country amid lockdown.
Extra Shots:
Indian Railways is India’s national railway system operated by the Ministry of Railways. It is one of the public facilities given by the government and manages the fourth largest railway network in the world by size, with a route length of 95,981-kilometre as of March 2019.
- Customer service: 139
- Headquarters: New Delhi
- Number of employees: 13,08,000 (2016-2017)
- Founded: 16 April 1853, India
National Fertilizers Ltd. sale rose to 71 percent in April 2020 despited COVID-19 lockdown
- Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers reported that National Fertilizers Ltd, a PSU under GoI, registered a 71% growth in fertilizer sales in April 2020.
- The stringent restrictions in April due to COVID-19 lockdown Company recorded fertilizer sale of 3.62 Lakh MT in April 2020 compared to 2.12 Lakh MT in the same period 2019.
Highlights:
- National Fertilizers Ltd made fertilizers available to farmers during this crucial period. It has achieved the highest-ever growth in sales in the month of April 2020.
- NFL produced urea at its five plants located at Nangal and Bathinda in Punjab, Panipat in Haryana, and two plants at Vijaipur in Madhya Pradesh. Though the company has a production capacity of 35.68 Lakh MT of urea.
- With all these products, the company has recorded the highest-ever sale of 57 Lakh MT in 2019-20, continuously for the fifth time in a row.
- Maintaining optimum operations of these plants in difficult times is a big success story especially towards fulfilling the Government’s commitment to the farming community of the country.
Extra Shots:
National Fertilizers Ltd:
- Founded on: 1 September 1979
- Headquarters: Noida, India
- Chairman & MD: Mr. Manoj Mishra
Registration Committee recommends the ban use of TB drug on crops
- The Registration Committee (RC) under the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIBRC) recommended a complete ban on the use of antibiotics streptomycin and tetracycline on crops with immediate effect.
- It suggested that other options were available for bacterial disease control.
- The decision was made at the 414th meeting of the RC held on 1 May 2020.
- The report will be shared with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Department of Agriculture Cooperation for necessary action on suggesting alternatives.
Highlights:
- The report recommended that streptomycin and tetracycline use be phased by 2022-end for crops for which no alternatives were available. It directed the antibiotics to be used on crops strictly as per the label claim.
- It also suggested measures to contain this malpractice and regulate it.
- The assessment was carried out in the agricultural farms of Delhi, Punjab, and Haryana. It was found that streptocycline, a 90:10 combination of streptomycin and tetracycline. But it was observed that it is being routinely and indiscriminately used by farmers in high doses in crops.
Streptomycin:
- The World Health Organization (WHO) recognized streptomycin as a critically important medicine for human use.
- It is used to treat tuberculosis (TB) patients in India. It is also used in multidrug-resistant TB patients and in certain cases of TB meningitis (brain TB).
MHA issues Standard Operating Protocol to facilitate movement of persons by train
- Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued Standard Operating Protocol (SOP) to facilitate the movement of persons by train amid lockdown imposed to contain COVID-19 spread.
SOP:
- As per the SOP, all the passengers entering the railway station will undergo a compulsory medical screening for COVID-19 infection.
- Movement of passengers to & fro and entry at the railway station will be permitted only on the confirmed e-ticket.
- During the travel and at the railway stations, Strict adherence to Health/hygiene protocols and social distancing.
- All passengers would be provided with hand sanitizer at entry and exit points at the station and in coaches.
- It will be ensured that all passengers wear face covers and masks at entry and during travel.
- On arrival at their destination, the traveling passengers should adhere to all the health protocols prescribed by the destination State/ UT.
- Movement of trains shall be permitted by the Ministry of Railways (MoR), in a graded manner, in consultation with the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) and MHA.
Extra Shots:
The Ministry of Home Affairs or Home Ministry is a ministry of the Government of India. As the interior ministry of India, it is mainly responsible for the maintenance of internal security and domestic policy. The Home Ministry is headed by Union Minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah.
- Ministry executive: Ajay Kumar Bhalla, IAS, Home Secretary
- Founded: 15 August 1947
- Headquarters: New Delhi
- Jurisdiction: India
- Departments: Intelligence Bureau, National Investigation Agency
- Officeholders: Rajnath Singh (Minister), Amit Shah (Minister),
DSCL uses several measures to fight COVID-19 pandemic
- Dehradun Smart City Limited (DSCL) has utilized the Integrated Command and Control Centre for monitoring and surveillance activities in the fight against coronavirus.
- To manage COVID-19, DSCL authorities have collaborated with District Administration. To implement and execute several measures, technology partners such as HPE, SGL, and Webline were remotely engaged by DSCL and District Administration through video and teleconferencing.
Measures:
Integrated Command and Control Centre
- DSCL introduced the process of monitoring the quarantine wards at the hospitals through Dehradun Integrated Command and Control Centre. It used a CCTV surveillance system and the video feed of the same AI-based Face Recognition at Isolation/Quarantine location would be stored at the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC).
Lockdown Pass
- DSCL developed a computer application named “Essential Service Lockdown pass” for senior citizens, funeral, medical service, food supply & grocery service, home delivery, IT & telecom service, etc.
Public Awareness Campaigns
- The smart city aimed to spread awareness regarding the lockdown and the services that have been provided by the Municipal Corporation and all other Government services. The city is also motivating people through its various social media to spread awareness among all the projects of DSCL.
Awareness through VMDs
- COVID-19 awareness message is being published for citizens on Variable Messaging Displays (VMDs) placed at Critical Junctions of the City. Display of Emergency Numbers, Police, Health, and other important departments is being done on VMDs.
STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS
TN govt. forms high-Level Committee to assess impact of COVID-19 pandemic
- The Tamil Nadu government has constituted a high-Level Committee to assess the overall immediate and medium-term impact of COVID-19 on the state’s economy.
- The committee will be headed by Dr. C Rangarajan, former Reserve Bank of India Governor.
Highlights:
- The committee will access the impact of the lockdown imposed to prevent spread of the coronavirus.
- The committee will also assess the additional costs and implications due to social distancing and other precautionary measures.
- It will also assess the opportunities and threats in the short and medium-term, apart from seeking measures to help the important sections of the economy to overcome the impact of the pandemic.
- The High-level Committee will identify specific reform measures to be taken by the state government to support and promote the growth of important sectors of the economy and assess the impact of the crisis on the state government’s fiscal situation and way forward to improve the fiscal position, including increasing the tax: GDP ratio and diversifying revenue sources and re-prioritizing expenditure.
- It will also identify possible sources of financing and funding for different sectors
Extra Shots:
Tamilnadu
- Capital: Chennai
- Chief Minister: Edappadi K.Palanisamy
- Governor: Banwarilal Purohit
- Chief Justice of Madras High Court: Vijaya Kamlesh Tahilramani
- National Park: Guindy NP,Gulf of Mannar Marine NP, Indira Gandhi (Annamalai) NP, Mudumalai NP, Mukurthi NP.
Uttar Pradesh Becomes First State to Provide Facility of Beds with Ventilators in Each District of State
- Uttar Pradesh has become the first state in India to install ventilator-beds in all the government-run district hospitals in all 75 districts of the state.
- With this, the total strength of beds with ventilators in the state has increased to 1,300.
- The number of laboratories testing coronavirus samples has increased from 20 to 24 in the state.
- All these steps have been taken by the state health department to provide higher level of care to the patients of COVID-19.
Extra Shots:
Uttar Pradesh:
- Capital: Lucknow
- Chief Minister: Yogi Adityanath
- Governor: Anandiben Patel
- State formed in: 24 January 1950
- Literacy Rate: 67.68%
- Nation Park: Dudhwa National Park
MP govt preparing to create huge self-employment opportunities in state through small & cottage industries
- In Madhya Pradesh, the state government is preparing to create huge self-employment opportunities in the state through small and cottage industries.
- The state government is also planning to take help of various schemes of the central government for this purpose. proper training and market would be made available to promote traditional works like blacksmith, carpenter, artisan, goldsmith, potter.
- The Chief Minister has also directed officials to make projects, according to the Central Government’s schemes, for the development of leather projects in Morena, stone crafts in Jabalpur, wood crafts in Sehore, iron crafts in Dindori, furniture manufacturing in Mandla and Betul and for handloom weavers in Mandsaur.
Extra Shots:
Madhya Pradesh:
- Capital: Bhopal
- Chief Minister: Kamal Nath
- Governor: Lalji Tandon
- National Park: Bandhavgarh NP, Fossil NP, Kanha NP, Madhav NP, Panna NP, Pench NP, Sanjay NP, Satpura NP
Sikkim Assembly passes a budget of Rs 9,100 crores for FY21
- The Sikkim Legislative Assembly with a 32-member state legislature passed the budget of Rs 9,100 crores for the fiscal 2020-21 comprising Rs. 7343.60 as revenue expenditure, and Rs. 1756.40 as capital expenditure in the 2nd Session of 10th Assembly (Budget Session 2020-21) on March 24.
- The appropriation bill, authorising the state to withdraw budgetary funds from Sikkim’s consolidated fund & the 2nd supplementary demands for grant of Rs 216 crores to meet additional expenditure in 2019-20.
- The Sikkim Protection of Interests of Depositors (In Financial Establishments) Amendment Bill, Bill No.2 of 2020- To amend Sections 2, 3, 14, 17 and 18 of the Sikkim Protection of Interests of Depositors (In Financial Establishments) Act, 2009.
Extra Shots:
Sikkim:
- Capital: Gangtok
- Chief Minister: Pawan Kumar Chamling
- Governor: Ganga Prasad
- Literacy Rate: 81.42%
INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
WHO, UN postal agency release commemorative postage stamp on 40th anniversary of eradication of smallpox
- The World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN’s postal agency have released a commemorative postage stamp on 9 May to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the eradication of smallpox.
- WHO’s smallpox eradication campaign was launched in 1967. WHO raised awareness about smallpox across the world through postage stamps.
- In 1980 May, the 33rd World Health Assembly issued its official declaration that the world and all its peoples have won freedom from smallpox.
Extra Shots:
WHO: The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health.
- Heads: Tedros Adhanom, Soumya Swaminathan, Jane Ellison, Peter Salama Trending
- Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
- Founded: 7 April 1948
- Parent organization: United Nations Economic and Social Council
UN: The United Nations is an intergovernmental organization that aims to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a center for harmonizing the actions of nations.
- Secretary general: António Guterres
- Headquarters: New York, New York, United States
- Founded: 24 October 1945, San Francisco, California, United States
- Official languages: Arabic; Chinese; English; French; Russian; Spanish
Saudi Arabia to raise VAT from 5% to 15% from 1st July
- In a significant decision , the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has decided to raise value added tax (VAT) from 5 percent to 15 percent starting from 1st July.
- The Kingdom has also decided to cancel, extend, or postpone some operational and capital expenditures for some government agencies, as well reduce provisions for initiative of a number of Vision Realization Programs and major projects for the fiscal year 2020.
- The Minister explained that due to the precautionary measures undertaken worldwide to combat the pandemic, the first economic shock was the unprecedented decline in oil demand, which led to lower oil prices and a sharp decline in oil revenue that represents a main source of public revenue for the state budget
Extra Shots:
Saudi Arabia (Capital/Currency): Riyadh/ Saudi riyal (SR)
- King: Salman
- Crown Prince: Mohammad bin Salman
Indian Naval Ship Kesari has departed for Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar and Comoros, to provide Food Items, COVID related Medicines
- As part of the Government of India outreach amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Indian Naval Ship Kesari has departed for Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar and Comoros, to provide Food Items, COVID related Medicines including HCQ Tablets and Special Ayurvedic Medicines with Medical Assistance Teams embarked, on 10 May 20.
- This deployment as ‘Mission Sagar’, is in line with India’s role as the first responder in the region and builds on the excellent relations existing between these countries to battle the COVID-19 pandemic and its resultant difficulties.
- The deployment is in consonance with the Prime Ministers vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region ‘SAGAR’ and highlights the importance accorded by India to relations with her neighbouring countries and further strengthens the existing bond.
- The operation is being progressed in close coordination with the Ministries of Defence and External Affairs, and other agencies of the Government of India.
Extra Shots:
Maldives (Capital/Currency): Male/ Maldivian rufiyaa
- President: Ibrahim Mohamed Solih
Mauritius (Capital/Currency): Port Louis/ Mauritian rupee
- Prime Minister: Pravind Jugnauth
Seychelles (Capital/Currency): Victoria/ Seychellois rupee
- President: Danny Faure
Madagascar (Capital/Currency): Antananarivo/ Malagasy ariary Malagasy ariary
- President: Andry Rajoelina
Comoros (Capital/Currency): Moroni/ Comorian franc
- President: Azali Assoumani
SUMMITS AND CONFERENCES
Tourism Ministry organised 17th session of Dekho Apna Desh webinar series on Exploring River Nila
- Ministry of Tourism organized the 17th session of the Dekho Apna Desh webinar on 9 April 2020. The webinar was titled ‘Exploring River Nila’ was about showcasing meaningful travel experiences for travelers that are offered by relatively unvisited places.
Exploring River Nila:
- The webinar took the participants on a journey into lesser-known towns and villages along the “River Nila” also known as Bharathapuzha in Kerala. The river offers authentic and unique experiences to the discerning travellers and explorers.
- The story ‘Exploring River Nila’ was modelled to showcase the tenets of responsible tourism that involves finding uniqueness about a place, the people who live in it and sharing it with the people who come to visit.
- The webinar also showcased the local food, festivals, art forms, traditions, and also about conserving the nature, landscapes, heritage, and community of the places that people travel to.
- Places like Palakkad, Thrissur and Malappuram districts in Kerala which can be easily accessed by air through Coimbatore, Kochi, and Kozhikode airports were included in the webinar.
Background:
- The focus of the Dekho Apna Desh webinar series aims to promote domestic tourism. The Ministry of Tourism to engage with the stakeholders of the tourism industry and the citizens of the country to sustain their interest in travelling within the country amid lockdown. The Participants in these webinars have included tourism stakeholders, students, and the general public from all across the country.
Extra Shots:
The Ministry of Tourism, a branch of the Government of India, is the apex body for formulation and administration of the rules, regulations and laws relating to the development and promotion of tourism in India.
- Officeholder: Prahlad Singh Patel (MOS independent charge)
- Founded: 1967
- Headquarters: New Delhi
- Jurisdiction: India
- Annual budget: 2,150 crores INR (2018–19 est., US$300 million)
High-level digital conference ‘RESTART’ to be organised by DST Focusing on rebooting the economy through Science and Technology
- The Technology Development Board (TDB) a statutory body of the Department of Science & Technology (DST) along with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) will organise a high-level digital conference on ‘Rebooting the Economy through Science, Technology and Research Translations (RESTART)’ on May 11, 2020, to celebrate the National Technology Day.
- Union Minister for Science & Technology, Health and Family Welfare and Earth Sciences, Dr. Harsh Vardhan would be the Chief Guest for the occasion.
- The conference will bring together Scientists, Technocrats, Government officials, Diplomats, WHO officials and dignitaries from national and international Industry, Research Institutions and Academic Institutions on a single platform to share their insights on the role played by S & T in the global healthcare crisis and find solutions that not only address the current pandemic but will also help us in facing the challenges ahead.
- The conference will have technical sessions on ‘Medicines & Medical Technologies’; ‘Advanced Materials – New Technology Horizons’;‘Advanced Manufacturing Technologies for Sustainable Future and Global Innovation’& Technology Alliance for Global Economic Leadership.
Extra Shots:
DST: The Department of Science and Technology is a department within the Ministry of Science and Technology in India.
- Headquarters location: New Delhi
- Founded: May 1971
- Subsidiary: National Innovation Foundation – India
RANKS AND INDICES
Registrar General of India released Birth rate, death rate, IMR data
- Data released by the Registrar General of India stated that India’s infant mortality rate (IMR) has improved very marginally from 33 per 1,000 live births in 2017 to 32 in 2018.
Report Highlights:
- The report stated that Madhya Pradesh has the worst IMR in the country at 48 and Nagaland stands the best at 4. In 2017, Madhya Pradesh’s IMR stood at 47.
- Among large states, Kerala has performed best with an IMR in single digits at 7. Also, only Kerala state has now achieved the United Nations’ sustainable development goal in this regard.
- The report stated that the largest decline in IMR has been registered by Mizoram, with a decline from 15 to 5. Undivided Jammu and Kashmir has shown a decline and is at 22, well below the national average of 32.
- Child and infant mortality stands as a massive problem in India despite improvements over the years. In 2018, an estimated 8,82,000 children under the age of 5 died in India.
- Registrar General of India also released data for death and birth rates. India’s birth rate stood at 20. The death rate was 6.2. Chhattisgarh has the highest death rate in the country at 8 whereas Delhi has the lowest at 3.
- Birth rate in India has declined from 36 in 1971 to 20 now. The death rate in 1971 was 14.9.
Extra Shots:
Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, founded in 1961 by Government of India Ministry of Home Affairs, for arranging, conducting and analysing the results of the demographic surveys of India including Census of India and Linguistic Survey of India.
- Parent organisation: Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India
- Headquarters: New Delhi
- Abbreviation: RGCCI
- Formation: 1961
- Registrar General & Census Commissioner: Vivek Joshi
Note:
- Mortality rate (or death rate) is a measure of the number of deaths in a particular population, scaled to the size of that population, per unit of time.
Global Energy Review of IEA states 15 percent decline in electricity demand
- The International Energy Agency (IEA) released the Global Energy Review in 2020.
- The report stated that 15% of the daily electricity demand has been reduced.
- It highlighted the carbon dioxide emissions and the global energy demand in the year 2020.
Report Highlights:
- The report was based on the survey collected from 30 countries including India and China.
- The report stated that decline in the electricity demand is due to lockdown imposed because of the COVID-19 pandemic in countries such as India, Italy, France, UK.
- The pandemic has reduced fossil-fuel based power generation. In India, the production of electricity has declined by 32.2% as compared to the 2019 level.
- It also stated that the oil demand was reduced by 5% and Carbon Dioxide Emissions have declined by 8% as compared to 2019.
Extra Shots:
IEA: The International Energy Agency is a Paris-based autonomous intergovernmental organization established in the framework of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development in 1974 in the wake of the 1973 oil crisis.
- Headquarters location: Paris, France
- Founded: November 1974
- Subsidiary: International Energy Agency, Research Division
AGREEMENTS AND MOU SIGNED
ICMR partners India Post for delivery of COVID-19 testing kits
- Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has entered into a tie-up with the India Post for delivery of its coronavirus COVID-19 testing kits.
- These kits are taken from ICMR 16 regional depots to 200 additional labs designated for coronavirus testing across the country.
- ICMR has planned to conduct 1 lakh COVID-19 tests per day all over the country.
- In order to achieve this, India Post with its 1,50,000 post offices has entered into an agreement with the ICMR. The kits are delivered with a packing of dry ice.
Extra Shots:
The Department of Posts, trading as India Post, is a government-operated postal system in India, which is a subsidiary of the Ministry of Communications. Generally called “the post office” in India, it is the most widely distributed postal system in the world.
- Headquarters: New Delhi
- Founder: Government of India
- Founded: 1 April 1854
- Subsidiary: India Post Payments Bank
- Parent organization: Ministry of Communications and Information Technology
ICMR partners with Bharat Biotech International Limited for developing indigenous #Covid_19 vaccine
- Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) partners with Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL) for developing indigenous Covid 19 vaccine.
- The vaccine will be developed using the virus strain isolated at the ICMR’s National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune,
- The strain has been successfully transferred from NIV to BBIL.
- Work on vaccine development has been initiated between the two partners.
- The ICMR-NIV will provide continuous support to BBIL for vaccine development.
- ICMR and BBIL will seek fast-track approvals to expedite vaccine development, subsequent animal studies and clinical evaluation of the candidate vaccine.
Extra Shots:
Bharat Biotech International Limited
- Founder: Krishna Ella
- Founded: 1996
- Headquarters location: Hyderabad
- Subsidiary: Chiron Behring Vaccines Private Limited
APPOINTMENT
Wipro CEO and MD Abidali Z Neemuchwala steps down
- Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director Abidali Z Neemuchwala of Wipro Limited has decided to step down due to family commitments.
- Neemuchwala will continue to hold the office of CEO and Managing Director until a successor is appointed for a smooth transition and to ensure that business continues as usual.
Abidali Z Neemuchwala:
- Abidali Z Neemuchwala has served as the CEO & MD of Wipro since February 2016. For over four years, Abid helped build a strong execution mindset, drove key acquisitions, and scaled the Digital business globally. Previously, he worked as the CEO of the BPO division of Tata Consultancy Services Limited.
- Wipro is a leading global information technology, consulting, and business process services company. It has over 175,000 employees serving clients across six continents.
Extra Shots:
Wipro is an Indian multinational corporation that provides information technology, consulting and business process services. It is headquartered in Bangalore, Karnataka, India. In 2013, Wipro separated its non-IT businesses and formed the privately owned Wipro Enterprises.
- CEO: Abidali Neemuchwala
- Owner: Azim Premji
- Founders: M.H. Hasham Premji, Sudipto Halder
- Headquartered :Bangalore
Edu-tech firm ELSA Corp appoints Indian Cricketer Ajinkya as its brand ambassador for India, Middle East, ANZ & SAARC
- ELSA Corp (English Language Speech Assistant Corporation) India, the education technology company based out of the US (United States), has appointed Indian Test team vice-captain Ajinkya Madhukar Rahane (31) as its brand ambassador for India, Middle East, ANZ (Australia & New Zealand) and SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation).
- Now Rahane will work with company’s mobile app ‘ELSA Speak’ to popularize it among Indian people who want to better their English pronunciation.
Extra Shots:
ELSA Corp:
- Headquarters: California, US
- Co-Founder & CEO: Vu Van
Indu Shekhar Chaturvedi assumes charge as Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
- Indu Shekhar Chaturvedi assumed charge as new Secretary, Ministry of New & Renewable Energy on 11 May 2020.
- Chaturvedi met senior officers of the Ministry and took stock of the work and issues before the Ministry.
- Chaturvedi succeeded Anand Kumar in the Ministry who earlier took charge as Secretary, Ministry of Culture.
Indu Shekhar Chaturvedi:
- Chaturvedi is a 1987 Batch IAS officer and belongs to Jharkhand cadre. Prior to this appointment, Chaturvedi was serving as Additional Chief Secretary and Additional Secretary, Department of Climate Change of the Ministry of Climate Change Department, Environment & Forest, Government of Jharkhand.
SPORTS CURRENT AFFAIRS
SAI forms 6-member panel to prepare SOP for phased resumption of training post COVID; Head- Rohit Bharadwaj
- The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has formed a six-membered committee that will prepare Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the phased resumption of training of sports after the lockdown due to COVID-19 is lifted.
- The committee is headed by Rohit Bharadwaj. He is a secretary at the Sports Authority of India.
Extra Shots:
SAI: The Sports Authority of India is the apex national sports body of India, established in 1984 by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports of Government of India for the development of sport in India.
- Headquarters: Delhi
- Founder: Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
- Founded: 25 January 1984
- Agency executive: Sandip Pradhan Indian Revenue Service, Sports Secretary-cum-Director General
- Annual budget: 481 crores INR (US$70 million, 2017–2018)
- Parent agencies: Department of Youth and Sports Development, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India
FIH extends Narinder Batra term as President till 2021
- International Hockey Federation (FIH) has extended the term of Narinder Batra as President of FIH until May 2021.
- Batra and therefore the Executive Board members which were due to end in October 2020 have now been extended.
- The Executive Board (EB) of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) has also decided to postpone the 47th FIH Congress, initially planned on 28 October-1 November 2020 in New Delhi, to May 2021.
Extra Shots:
FIH: The Fédération Internationale de Hockey, commonly known by the acronym FIH, is the international governing body of field hockey and indoor field hockey. Its headquarters are in Lausanne, Switzerland and the president is Narinder Batra.
- Headquarters: Lausanne, Switzerland
- President: Narinder Batra
- Founded: 7 January 1924, Paris, France
- CEO: Thierry Weil
- Abbreviation: FIH
- Membership: 137 national associations
BOOKS & AUTHORS
Book titled “Fear of God” authored by Vadhan
- A book titled “Fear of God” has been authored by Bommadevara Sai Chandravadhan. He is popularly known as Vadhan.
- It is a book based on the lack of respect or fear of law in India.
- This is Vadhan’s third novel after “Agniputr: When Agni First Spoke” and “Shatru”.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
RCI develops DRUVS, automated UV system to sanitise electronic gadgets
- Hyderabad based Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) premier lab, has developed Defence Research Ultraviolet Sanitiser (DRUVS), an automated contactless ultraviolet C (UVC) sanitisation cabinet.
DRUVS cabinet:
- The cabinet has been designed to sanitise mobile phones, iPads, laptops, currency notes, cheque leafs, challans, passbooks, paper, envelopes, etc.
- The DRUVS cabinet has a contactless operation, which is very important to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
- The operation is made automatic and contactless as the proximity sensor switches are clubbed with a drawer opening and closing mechanism.
- It provides 360-degree exposure of UVC to the objects placed inside the cabinet.
- After sanitizing it, the system goes into sleep mode, and hence the operator need not wait or stand near the device.
Extra Shots:
RCI: Research Centre Imarat is a DRDO laboratory located in Hyderabad. The lab is responsible for Research and Development of Missile Systems, Guided Weapons and advanced Avionics for Indian Armed Forces. It was established by APJ Abdul Kalam in 1988.
- Director: BHVS Narayana Murthy
- Operating agency: Defence Research and Development Organisation
- Field of research: Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme
DBT-BIRAC approves funding for 70 Proposals for funding in Vaccines, Diagnostics
- Department of Biotechnology and Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) had invited applications for COVID-19 Research Consortium to urgently develop safe and effective Biomedical solutions against SARS CoV-2.
- The move aims to provide an accelerator approach for vaccine development.
Highlights:
- Under the research consortium, DBT and BIRAC evaluated applications with an intent to support Industry/ Academia and Jointly Academia & Industry for developing Diagnostics, Vaccines, Novel Therapeutics, Repurposing of Drugs or any other intervention for control of COVID-19.
- Under the move, 70 proposals of devices, diagnostics, vaccine candidates, therapeutics, and other interventions have been recommended for receiving financial support.
- The shortlisted proposals include 10 Vaccines candidates, 34 Diagnostics products or scale-up facilities, 10 Therapeutics options, 2 proposals on Drug Repurposing, and 14 projects which are categorized as preventive interventions.
- The participating candidates have been enhanced by providing support for the development of the Next-generation mRNA vaccine for a lipid encapsulated mRNA based vaccine.
- In order to ensure complete indigenization of COVID diagnostics, DBT BIRAC has already provided support to the companies conducting research to scale-up the production of RT PCR kits.
- BIRAC has created a provision to fund COVID-19 solutions that are ready for immediate deployment under a ‘Fast Track Review Process’.
- DBT has also launched a National Biomedical Resource Indigenization Consortium (NBRIC) in a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model to foster indigenous innovation focused on developing reagents and resources for diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics for COVID19 which is in partnership with ABLE and CII and is being hosted by C-CAMP.
DGCI approved drug trial of phytopharmaceutical, favipiravir to treat COVID-19 patient
- The Drug Controller General of India (DGCI) approved the clinical trials of the drugs namely, phytopharmaceutical and favipiravir for the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
Highlights:
- With this approval, CSIR will begin the clinical trial of two drugs to treat COVID-19 patients.
- The drug trial will begin soon. CSIR has already been working with pharmaceutical companies for the solution to control COVID-19.
- Favipiravir is a proven anti-influenza drug used in Japan, China, and other countries .
- CSIR is also exploring a native herb as a biological medicine or phytopharmaceutical.
- It is already being tested as medicine for dengue for its efficacy to combat COVID-19. It is a herbal medicine extracted from plants.
Extra Shots:
DGCI: Drugs Controller General of India is a department of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization of the Government of India. It is responsible for approval of licences of specified categories of drugs such as blood and blood products, IV fluids, vaccines, and sera in India.
- Headquarters location: New Delhi
ICMR-NIV develops COVID KAVACH ELISA for antibody detection for COVID-19 infection
- Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune has developed and validated the indigenous IgG ELISA test ‘COVID KAVACH ELISA’ for antibody detection for COVID-19.
COVID KAVACH ELISA:
- The robust indigenous IgG ELISA test has been named as “COVID KAVACH ELISA” in line with the Make in India initiative in record time.
- The IgG ELISA test will play a critical role in surveillance of the proportion of population exposed to SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus infection.
- Scientific team of NIV has successfully isolated the SARS-CoV-2 virus from laboratory confirmed patients in India. This has led to the development of indigenous diagnostics for SARS-CoV-2.
- For this purpose, ICMR has partnered with Zydus Cadila for mass-scale production of the ELISA test kits.
- Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune has developed and validated the indigenous IgG ELISA test ‘COVID KAVACH ELISA’ for antibody detection for COVID-19.
OBITUARIES
KFH Tournament founder Pandanda Kuttappa passes away
- Founder of Kodava Family Hockey Tournament, Pandanda Kuttappa passed away. Kuttappa conceived the idea of Kodava family hockey festival in 1997.
- He was a former State Bank of India employee and an ex-first division hockey referee, Pandanda Kuttappa has bestowed the Karnataka Rajyothsava award in 2015.
- Kuttappa used to oversee the tournament for the last 22 years.
- Kodava Family Hockey Tournament held every year in Karnataka.
Eminent historian Hari Shankar Vasudevan passes away
- Eminent historian Hari Shankar Vasudevan passed away due to COVID-19.
- He was internationally acclaimed for his work on Russian and European history and Indo-Russian relations.
- Vasudevan was the author of Shadows of Substance: Indo-Russian Trade and Military-Technical Cooperation (2010), and Footsteps of Afanasii Nikitin: Travels through Eurasia and India in the Early 21st Century (2015).
- He was an eminent scholar, UGC Emeritus Professor, Department of History and China Centre of Calcutta University as well as Ex-Director of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies, an autonomous body under Ministry of Culture Govt of India.”
