Current Affairs Today 10th April 2020-Download in PDF

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Current Affairs Today – 10th April 2020

NEWS AT A GLANCE

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) celebrated the 55th CRPF Valour Day (Shaurya Diwas) on 9 April 2020.
World Homoeopathy Day observed globally on 10 April every year to mark the birth anniversary of the founder of Homoeopathy, Dr Samuel Hahnemann.
Asian Development Bank (ADB) has announced that of $2.2 billion (about Rs.16,500 crore) support to India in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Data released by the Government of India stated that India’s fiscal deficit stood at 5.07% of gross domestic product (GDP) in February 2020.
The UN ‘Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) 2020 forecast India’s GDP for FY21 at 4.8%.
An American multinational investment bank and financial services company, Goldman Sachs lowered India’s growth forecast for Financial Year (FY) 21 from 3.3% (estimated on March 22, 2020) to 1.6% due to the lockdown & social distancing measures so as to control the COVID-19 pandemic spread.
Union Minister for Human Resource Development Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ has launched the ‘Bharat Padhe Online’ campaign on 10 April in New Delhi.
Government of India (GoI) has announced to allocate Rs. 15000 crores for ‘India COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health System Preparedness Package’.
Government has extended the premium payment period for Postal Life Insurance and Rural Postal Life Insurance till 30th of June this year.
Employees Provident Fund Organization, EPFO, has processed about 1.37 lakh claims disbursing 279.65 crore rupees under a new provision to help subscribers fight COVID-19.
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, Institute of Company Secretaries of India and Institute of Cost Accountants of India, the three Professional Institutes under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, have come forward to donate 28.80 crore rupees to PM CARES Fund for providing assistance to those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The West Central Railway’s Coach Rehabilitation Workshop (CRWS) in Madhya Pradesh’s (MP) Bhopal city,has created a mobile doctor booth called “CHARAK” to eliminate the possibility of physical contact between the doctor and the coronavirus (COVID-19) infected patient.
The Haryana State Government has set up a 24×7 Toll-free helpline facility for procurement during Rabi Season 2020 and also ensuring social distancing norms.
The Delhi government launched ‘Operation SHIELD’ in 21 containment zones in the state.
Haryana state government has announced that it is to double the salary of Doctors, Nurses and other medical professionals dealing with COVID-19 patients.
China has unveiled a new trial protocol for re-testing the recovered coronavirus patients.
India exported 5 tonnes of cargo of medicines, including anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine to Israel.
Recently the International Labour Organization (ILO) has released a report titled ‘ILO Monitor 2nd edition: COVID-19 and the world of work- Updated estimates and analysis’ which has also stated that about 400 million people working in the informal economy in India are at risk of falling deeper into poverty due to the coronavirus crisis.
Doordarshan has emerged among the highest watched channel in India for week ended 3rd April.
Hyderabad-based Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL) has partnered with Australia’s Griffith University to develop the COVID-19 vaccine.
Hindustan Unilever has partnered with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to support India to combat COVID-19.
IFFCO Tokio General Insurance has appointed Anamika Roy Rashtrawar as the new Managng Director & Chief Executive Officer of the company.
The Pulitzer Prize-winning American reporter for The Washington Post, Mary Jordan has written a book titled ‘The Art of Her Deal: The Untold Story of Melania Trump’.
The book ‘The Wizenard Series: Season One’ is created by American Basket baller Kobe Bryant & authored by Wesley King tops the New York Times’ middle-grade hardcover list, which is to be released on April 19, 2020.
Canadian American comedian & actor Jim Carrey and writer Dana Vachon authored a novel “Memoirs and Misinformation” a fearless and semi-autobiographical novel about the reconstruction of personality.
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has released a new strategy for COVID-19 testing in India, hotspots, cluster, large migration gatherings or evacuees centres.
Google has announced the launch of a virtual Braille keyboard for Android users with low vision or blindness.
Former Madhya Pradesh minister Hazarilal Raghuwanshi passed away. He was a six-time MLA from Seoni-Malwa Assembly constituency, Hoshangabad and also served as a minister in various Congress-led governments in the state.
American folk singer John Prine has passed away due to the COVID-19 complications.
Veteran leader and Congressmen Ramkrishna Dwivedi passed away on 10 April.
Donato Sabia, twice Olympics 800 meters finalist and the former European Indoor Champion, passed away at the age of 56 in Potenza, Italy due to Coronavirus.

NEWS IN DETAILS

IMPORTANT DAYS AND THEMES

CRPF celebrated 55th CRPF Valour Day on 9 April

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) celebrated the 55th CRPF Valour Day (Shaurya Diwas) on 9 April 2020.
On the occasion, President of India Ram Nath Kovind paid homage to police martyrs at National Police Memorial in New Delhi.

CRPF Valour Day or Shaurya Diwas:

The 55th CRPF Valour Day commemorates the defence of the Sardar Post in the Rann of Kutch at the onset of the India-Pakistan War of 1965.
On the night of 8 and 9 April 1965, nearly 3500 men from the 51st Infantry of Pakistani Army invaded India at Sardar Post with a mission to capture the Indian territory defended by Sardar Post. The Pakistani Army comprised 18 Punjab Battalion, 8 Frontier Rifles, and 6 Baluch battalions.
The post was guarded by two battalions of CRPF, roughly 150 soldiers. Compared to the Pakistani Army, the CRPF soldiers were no match in terms of an arsenal. Additionally, the terrain was disadvantageous for the defending forces.

Extra Shots:

CRPF:

Formed on: 27 July 1939
Headquarters: New Delhi
Minister responsible: Amit Shah, Minister of Home Affairs
Agency executive: A P Maheshwari
CRPF functions under the authority of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The CRPF is considered as the largest paramilitary force in India.

World Homoeopathy Day observed globally on 10 April

World Homoeopathy Day observed globally on 10 April every year to mark the birth anniversary of the founder of Homoeopathy, Dr Samuel Hahnemann.
Samuel Hahnemann was a physician born in Germany, who was a great researcher, linguist and applauded scientist.
THEME OF 2020: “Linking research with education and clinical practice: Advancing scientific collaborations”.
This year in 2020, it will be the 265th birthday of Hahnemann.
In India World, Homoeopathy Day is celebrated under the aegis of Ministry of AYUSH, Govt. of India.

Extra Shots:

Ministry of AYUSH: The Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy is purposed with developing education, research and propagation of indigenous alternative medicine systems in India. The Ministry is headed by a Minister of State, which is currently held by Shripad Yesso Naik.

Officeholder: Shripad Naik (MOS independent charge)
Founded: 9 November 2014, India
Headquarters: New Delhi

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

ADB announced USD 2.2 billion to support India to combat coronavirus pandemic

Asian Development Bank (ADB) has announced that of $2.2 billion (about Rs.16,500 crore) support to India in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
ADB is committed to supporting India’s emergency needs.

Aim:

It aims to help the health sector of India and to help alleviate the economic impact of the pandemic on the poor. The fund will benefit informal workers, micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, and the financial sector of India.
This is straining a large number of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, and the livelihood of formal and informal labourers across the country.
ADB has announced that is to meet India’s needs by considering all financing option including emergency assistance, policy-based loans, and budget support to facilitate swift disbursement of ADB funds.

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ADB:

Formed on: 19 December 1966
Headquarters: Philippines
Membership: 68 countries
President: Masatsugu Asakawa
ADB aims to promote social and economic development in Asia. ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific and works to sustain its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty.

Fiscal deficit may increase in March despite nationwide lockdown

Data released by the Government of India stated that India’s fiscal deficit stood at 5.07% of gross domestic product (GDP) in February 2020.
The report stated that the government is might not meet its revised target of 3.8% of GDP due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Report highlights:

The fiscal deficit target was increased to Rs.7.66 lakh crore (3.8%) of the GDP in July 2019 by invoking the escape clause under the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act (FRBM).
As per the data from the Controller General of Accounts (CGA), India’s fiscal deficit reached Rs.10.36 lakh crore at the end of February 2020.
It also stated that government revenues are likely to take a substantial hit in March, despite nationwide lockdown.
It also highlighted that expenditures for the month should rise due to various costs arising from the virus containment efforts and enforcing the lockdown.
According to the report, the state governments received about Rs.90,000 crore as tax devolution and around Rs.29,000 crore for various schemes in FY20.

UN ESCAP forcast India’s GDP for FY21 at 4.8%

The UN ‘Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) 2020 forecast India’s GDP for FY21 at 4.8%.
It also warned that the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to result in significant adverse economic impact globally.
The title of the UN report ‘Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) 2020: Towards sustainable economies’.
India’s GDP growth for the fiscal year 2019-2020 was estimated at 5% and is forecast to slow down to 4.8% for the current fiscal 2020-21.
Economic growth for the country could stand at 5.1% for the fiscal year 2021-22.

Extra Shots:

ADB – 4.0% (Previous 5%)
S&P – 3.5% (Previous 5.2%)
Moody – 2.5% (Previous 5.3%)
UNESCAP – 4.8% (Previous 5%)
Goldman Sachs – 1.6% (Previous 3.3%)

UN ESCAP: The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific is one of the five regional commissions under the jurisdiction of the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

Headquarters location: Bangkok, Thailand

Founder: United Nations Economic and Social Council
Founded: 28 March 1947
Parent organization: United Nations Economic and Social Council
Formation: 28 March 1947

Goldman Sachs lowers India’s growth forecast for FY 21 to 1.6% from 3.3%

An American multinational investment bank and financial services company, Goldman Sachs lowered India’s growth forecast for Financial Year (FY) 21 from 3.3% (estimated on March 22, 2020) to 1.6% due to the lockdown & social distancing measures so as to control the COVID-19 pandemic spread.
It stated that the revised growth will be deeper when compared to the recession India has experienced in 1970’s, 1980’s & 2009.
Many analysts like Fitch, Moody are downgrading India’s growth rate due to the pandemic.

Extra Shots:

ADB – 4.0% (Previous 5%)
S&P – 3.5% (Previous 5.2%)
Moody – 2.5% (Previous 5.3%)
UNESCAP – 4.8% (Previous 5%)
Goldman Sachs – 1.6% (Previous 3.3%)

Goldman Sachs:

Headquarters: New York, United States
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer (CEO): David M. Solomon

NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

MHRD launched Bharat Padhe Online campaign

Union Minister for Human Resource Development Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ has launched the ‘Bharat Padhe Online’ campaign on 10 April in New Delhi.
The campaign aimed for crowdsourcing of Ideas for Improving the Online Education ecosystem of India.

Aim:

A week-long campaign aims to invite all the best brains in India to share suggestions and solutions directly with the Ministry of Human Resource Development to overcome constraints of online education while promoting the available digital education platforms.

Bharat Padhe Online:

Ideas can be shared on bharatpadheonline.mhrd@gmail.com and on twitter by using # BharatPadheOnline up to 16 April 2020.
While using Twitter one must tag @HRDMinistry and @DrRPNishank so that the ideas can be notified to them.
Students and teachers are the main target audience of the campaign.
It aims to improve existing online education methods.
The teachers and students can suggest their ideas and queries about what is lacking in the existing online platforms and how can it be made more engaging.
Educators across the country have been asked to contribute with their expertise and experience in the field of education.

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MHRD: The Ministry of Human Resource Development, formerly Ministry of Education, is responsible for the development of human resources in India.

Ministry executives: R. Subrahmanyam, (IAS Officer); Rina Ray, (IAS Officer)
Founded: 26 September 1985
Officeholder: Ramesh Pokhriyal (Union Minister)
Headquarters: New Delhi
Jurisdiction: India
Departments: Department of Higher Education, Department of School Education and Literacy

GoI sanctions Rs. 15000 crores package to boost health infrastructure

Government of India (GoI) has announced to allocate Rs. 15000 crores for ‘India COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health System Preparedness Package’.

Details:

The funds sanctioned will be utilized for immediate COVID-19 Emergency Response (amount of Rs.7774 crores) and rest for medium-term support (1-4 years) to be provided under mission mode approach.
The Package includes mounting emergency response to slow and limit COVID-19 in India through the development of diagnostics and COVID-19 dedicated treatment facilities, centralized procurement of essential medical equipment and drugs required for treatment of infected patients, strengthen and build resilient National and State health systems to support prevention and preparedness for future disease outbreaks, setting up of laboratories and bolster surveillance activities, bio-security preparedness, pandemic research and proactively engage communities and conduct risk communication activities.
The funds will also help in increasing the production of PPEs (Personal Protection Equipment), ventilators, ICU and other essential equipment.
These interventions and initiatives would be implemented under the overall umbrella of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Govt extends premium payment period for Postal Life Insurance till June 30

Government has extended the premium payment period for Postal Life Insurance and Rural Postal Life Insurance till 30th of June this year.
Ministry of Communications said, in view of lockdown across the country, the customer of Postal Life Insurance and Rural Postal Life Insurance are facing difficulty in approaching post offices for payment of premium.
The Ministry has given an extension of period for payment of their due premium of March, April and May 2020 upto 30th June without charging any penalty and default fee.

EPFO processes about 1.37 lakh claims, disburses Rs 279.65 Cr to help subscribers fight COVID-19

Employees Provident Fund Organization, EPFO, has processed about 1.37 lakh claims disbursing 279.65 crore rupees under a new provision to help subscribers fight COVID-19.
This provision especially formulated by amending the EPF Scheme.
The remittances of the money have already started taking place.
The system as it stands today is processing all applications which are fully KYC compliant within less than 72 hours.
The provision for a special withdrawal from the EPF Scheme to fight COVID-19 pandemic is part of the Prime Minister’s Garib Kalyan Yojana announced by the government .

Extra Shots:

EPFO: The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation, is an organization tasked to assist the Central Board of Trustees, Employees’ Provident Fund a statutory body formed by the Employees’ Provident Fund ad … Wikipedia

Founded: 4 March 1952, New Delhi
Headquarters: New Delhi
AUM: 11 Lakh Crore ($157 Billion USD)
Jurisdiction: India
Type of business: Central-Owned

ICAI, ICSI, Institute of Cost Accountants of India donate Rs 28.80 Cr to PM-CARES Fund

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, Institute of Company Secretaries of India and Institute of Cost Accountants of India, the three Professional Institutes under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, have come forward to donate 28.80 crore rupees to PM CARES Fund for providing assistance to those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund (PM-CARES Fund) was created on 28th of March following the COVID-19 pandemic in India.
This dedicated national fund has been set up with the primary objective of dealing with any kind of emergency or distress situation as posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and to provide relief to the affected people.

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ICAI: The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India is the national professional accounting body of India. It was established on 1 July 1949 as a statutory body under the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949 enacted by the Parliament to regulate the profession of Chartered Accountancy in India.

Founded: 1 July 1949
Sector: Accounting, Financial audit
Jurisdiction: India
Headquarters: New Delhi
Agency executive: N. D. Gupta (President)
President: Atul Kumar Gupta

ICSI: The Institute of Company Secretaries of India is a statutory professional body in India with the objective of promoting, regulating and developing the profession of company secretaries in India.

President: CS Ashish Garg
Students: Approx. 300000+
Headquarters location: New Delhi
Membership: 61500
Number of students: 3,00,000
Founded: 4 October 1968

STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS

Haryana launched free helpline to help farmers in procurement during Rabi Season

The Haryana State Government has set up a 24×7 Toll-free helpline facility for procurement during Rabi Season 2020 and also ensuring social distancing norms.
The aim of the move is to facilitate the farmers during the Rabi procurement season in these difficult times of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Highlights:

Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board (HSAMB) launched a dedicated 24×7 Toll-free helpline No. 1800-180-2060 with thirty lines has been established in Panchkula, the Head Office of HSAMB.
The Helpline room staff will operate in three shifts namely 7 am to 3 pm, 3 pm to 10 pm and 10 pm to 7 am, to make the facility available round the clock.
The facility will be fully operationalized by 13 April 2020.
The issues of the farmers will be broadly categorized into three parts namely procurement-related issues, infrastructure-related issues, and Corona related issues.
All the calls received on the Helpline number from the farmers will be recorded by the operators.
The state has distributed a layout plan for every mandi and procurement centre to all districts.

Extra Shots:

Haryana:

Capital: Chandigarh
Chief Minister: Manohar Lal Khattar
Governor: Satyadev Narayan Arya
National Park: Sultanpur National Park, Kalesar National Park

Delhi govt. launched Operation SHIELD to contain COVID-19 pandemic

The Delhi government launched ‘Operation SHIELD’ in 21 containment zones in the state.
The announcement was made by the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
The Delhi government has made it compulsory for people to wear masks while stepping out of their houses.
Under the operation, the people who misbehave with the healthcare personnel will be punished. The operation by the government is a strict measure to protect them and others from COVID-19.

Operation SHIELD:

Operation SHIELD aims to curb the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.
People who are living in containment areas have been directed to cooperate in implementing Operation SHIELD.

S-Sealing of area

The government sealed the area immediately and its surroundings after geographical marking following positive cases there.

H-Home quarantine

As a second move of the operation, people in the sealed areas will be kept under Home quarantine.

I-Isolation of infected patients

The Delhi government will isolate the COVID-19 infected people and keep them monitored at the isolation centre

E-Essential services ensured

Under the operation, the government ensures the home-delivery of essential items.

L-Local sanitization

In this fifth step, the government will sanitize the select areas by the local authorities

D- Door to door survey

In the last step, the government will check door-to-door houses to ascertain whether anybody in containment has a cough or any other symptoms of COVID-19.

Haryana doubled salary of Doctors, Nurses, medical professionals dealing with COVID-19 cases

Haryana state government has announced that it is to double the salary of Doctors, Nurses and other medical professionals dealing with COVID-19 patients.
The announcement was made by the Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.

Highlights:

The announcement stated that the salaries of all those engaged in the fight against COVID-19 including doctors, nurses, paramedical staff, Class IV staff, Ambulance staff, Testing Lab staff will be doubled.
It will be applicable until the coronavirus period ends.
The state also announced that professionals will get ex-gratia benefits between Rs.50 lakh and Rs.10 lakh if they are not covered under the new insurance cover announced by the Centre.
The move is to support and thank the doctors and medical professionals who are fighting this battle like soldiers and risking their lives to save humanity.

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Haryana:

Capital: Chandigarh
Chief Minister: Manohar Lal Khattar
Governor: Satyadev Narayan Arya
National Park: Sultanpur National Park, Kalesar National Park

Madhya Pradesh railways designs mobile doctor booth called ‘CHARAK’ for zero-contact check-ups

The West Central Railway’s Coach Rehabilitation Workshop (CRWS) in Madhya Pradesh’s (MP) Bhopal city,has created a mobile doctor booth called “CHARAK” to eliminate the possibility of physical contact between the doctor and the coronavirus (COVID-19) infected patient.
A viral barrier chamber has been built in the railway compartment itself, through which doctors will be able to examine patients without direct physical contact.
This system will prove to be very helpful as there is a shortage of PPE (Personal protective equipment) and medical staff at this time.
The mobile booth can go to remote villages & can also be taken up to 500 meters by hand.

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Madhya Pradesh:

Capital: Bhopal
Chief Minister: vacant
Governor: Lalji Tandon
National Park: Bandhavgarh NP, Fossil NP, Kanha NP, Madhav NP, Panna NP, Pench NP, Sanjay NP, Satpura NP

INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

China launched new trial protocol for retesting the recovered coronavirus patients

China has unveiled a new trial protocol for re-testing the recovered coronavirus patients.
The protocol intensifies the screening of asymptomatic cases as concerns grew over the second wave of virus infections in the country.

Highlights:

The move by the China government comes after it lifted the 76-day lockdown in Wuhan.
According to the protocol, recovered COVID-19 patients must stay in quarantine for 14 days either at their home or in an isolation centre for medical observation.
During the quarantine/isolation period, COVID-19 recovered patients should take their temperatures daily and be on the lookout for fever and respiratory symptoms including cough and breathing difficulties.
COVID-19 designated hospitals should make plans for patients’ return visits and re-testing for the next 2-4 weeks after their discharge. The sputum samples of the patients, which are more reliable, should be the first choice for re-testing.
If they are positive again by showing symptoms including fever and cough, and CT scan results show their lung conditions have worsened, the patients should be hospitalized for further treatment.
The recovered people can only be released from quarantine/isolation upon two consecutive negative nucleic acid test results.

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China (Capital/Currency): Beijing/Renminbi

President: Xi Jinping

India exported 5 tonnes of drug including hydroxychloroquine to Israel

India exported 5 tonnes of cargo of medicines, including anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine to Israel.
The shipment included ingredients for drugs chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine.
The drugs were exported to Israel as the country requested the supply of hydroxychloroquine, with India being the world’s largest producer and exporter of the drug.

Background:

On 25 March, India banned exports of anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine with immediate effect during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The drug hydroxychloroquine is believed to have some positive effect on the treatment of the coronavirus.
But the exports from special economic zones (SEZs) and other GoI approved exporters, only, will be allowed to export the drug.
But on 7 April, the Government of India relaxed the ban on exports of paracetamol and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and the drugs were placed in the licensed category.
The move came as the US President Donald Trump had threatened India with retaliation if India rejected the US’s demand for the supply of hydroxychloroquine.

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Israel (Capital/Currency): Jerusalem/ Israeli Shekel

President: Reuven Rivlin

According to ILO Report, COVID-19 risked 400 mn Indian workers to face poverty

Recently the International Labour Organization (ILO) has released a report titled ‘ILO Monitor 2nd edition: COVID-19 and the world of work- Updated estimates and analysis’ which has also stated that about 400 million people working in the informal economy in India are at risk of falling deeper into poverty due to the coronavirus crisis.

Highlights:

Current lockdown measures in India are at the high end of the University of Oxford’s COVID-19 Government Response Stringency Index, which have forced many of the workers to return to rural areas.
This report is a follow-up of first edition of the ILO Monitor regarding COVID-19.
On the global front, employment losses are rising rapidly as there are two billion people working in the informal sector (mostly in emerging and developing economies).
As of April 1, 2020, ILO’s new global estimated that there are chances of expulsion of 195 million full-time jobs or 6.7% of working hours globally in the second quarter of 2020.
The coronavirus pandemic is the worst global crisis since World War II. Four out of five people (81%) in the global workforce of 3.3 billion are currently affected by full or partial workplace closures.
Along with India, the number of workers in the informal economy of Nigeria and Brazil are also facing the same crisis due to lockdown.
Most affected region: Arab States are facing severe decline in the working hours and employment with 8.1% reduction in working hours which is equivalent to 5 million full-time workers. These are followed by Europe (7.8%, or 12 million full-time workers) and Asia and the Pacific (7.2%, 125 million full-time workers).
Most affected income group: Huge losses are expected across different income groups but especially in upper-middle income countries (7.0%, 100 million full-time workers).
Most affected sectors: Sectors which are at high risk are Accommodation and food services, Real estate; business and administrative activities, Manufacturing, and Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles.

Extra Shots:

ILO:

It is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN).
Establishment: 1919
Member States: 187 (including India)
Director General: Guy Ryder
Headquarter: Geneve, Switzerland

RANKS AND INDICES

Doordarshan emerges among highest watched channel in India

Doordarshan has emerged among the highest watched channel in India for week ended 3rd April.
According to Broadcast Audience Research Council, telecast of Ramayan and Mahabharat was the key attribute that helped DD while getting back classics like Shaktiman and Buniyaad has also played a critical role.
This was despite a surge reported by the private broadcasters who are also experiencing higher viewership.
Despite the absence of any new sporting event, the viewership for sports channels grew 21 percent as they beamed India’s cricket wins from the past.

Extra Shots:

Doordarshan is an autonomous public service broadcaster founded by the Government of India, owned by the Broadcasting Ministry of India and one of Prasar Bharati’s two divisions. One of India’s largest broadcasting organisations in studio and transmitter infrastructure, it was established on 15 September 1959.

Founder: Government of India
Founded: 15 September 1959, Delhi
Motto: Satyam Shivam Sundaram
Headquarters location: New Delhi
Parent organization: Prasar Bharati.

AGREEMENTS AND MOU SIGNED

IIL partners with Griffith University to develop Covid-19 vaccine

Hyderabad-based Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL) has partnered with Australia’s Griffith University to develop the COVID-19 vaccine.
Scientists from IIL and Griffith University will jointly develop a “live attenuated SARS – CoV-2 vaccine” or COVID-19 vaccine using the “latest codon de-optimization technology”.
The vaccine is expected to provide long-lasting protection with a single dose administration with an anticipated safety profile similar to other licensed vaccines for active immunization.
Upon the completion of the research, the vaccine strain will be transferred to ILL. It will work with the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), to conduct clinical trials.
IIL intends to use its Vero cell platform tech for mass production of the vaccine.

Extra Shots:

IIL: Indian Immunologicals Limited or IIL is a vaccine manufacturing facility and biotechnology laboratory in Hyderabad, Ooty and Rajkot. IIL is one of the largest vaccine manufacturers in the world. It was established in 1983 by the National Dairy Development Board.

Headquarters location: Hyderabad
Founded: 1982
Parent organization: National Dairy Development Board

HUL teams up with UNICEF to support India to combat COVID-19

Hindustan Unilever has partnered with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to support India to combat COVID-19.
The partnership aims to initiate a mass communication campaign with an objective of informing and empowering the general public against the COVID-19 pandemic.
The mass communication campaign titled ‘#BreakTheChain‘ or ‘#VirusKiKadiTodo‘ will unite the technical knowledge of UNICEF with the marketing expertise and scale of HUL.
They will together create engaging communication tools that can help people change behaviours and stay safe during the pandemic.
‘#BreakTheChain’ or #VirusKiKadiTodo’ campaign would be based on key themes namely: social distancing, hand washing and generosity, and would comprise of simple and powerful 5 and 15 second informative assets in order to empower general public with prevention strategies to safeguard themselves against COVID-19.

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UNICEF: The United Nations Children’s Fund is a United Nations agency responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide. Headquarters: New York, New York, United States

Head: Henrietta H. Fore
Founded: 11 December 1946, New York, New York, United States
Founders: United Nations General Assembly, Ludwik Rajchman
Parent organizations: United Nations General Assembly, United Nations Economic and Social Council

HUL: Hindustan Unilever Limited is the Indian subsidiary of Unilever. It is headquartered in Mumbai, India. Its products include foods, beverages, cleaning agents, personal care products, water purifiers and consumer goods.

Parent organization: Unilever
CEO: Sanjiv Mehta
Headquarters: Mumbai

APPOINTMENT

Anamika Roy Rashtrawar appointed as MD & CEO of IFFCO Tokio

IFFCO Tokio General Insurance has appointed Anamika Roy Rashtrawar as the new Managng Director & Chief Executive Officer of the company.
She will take over Warendra Sinha who was leading the company from past three years.
After taking over as the MD & CEO of IFFCO Tokio General Insurance, Anamika Roy Rashtrawar will become the first woman MD and CEO of a large private sector general insurance company in India.

Extra Shots:

IFFCO Tokio General Insurance:

IFFCO- Tokio General Insurance Company Limited was incorporated in 2000, as a joint venture between the Indian Farmers Fertilizer Co-operative (IFFCO), which is the world’s largest fertilizer producer in India and Tokio Marine Group, which is one of the largest insurance groups in Japan.
Headquarters: Gurugram, Haryana.
Chairman: Mr. K. Srinivasa Gowda.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

Pulitzer prize winner Mary Jordan writes book on Melania Trump

The Pulitzer Prize-winning American reporter for The Washington Post, Mary Jordan has written a book titled ‘The Art of Her Deal: The Untold Story of Melania Trump’.
It is published by Simon & Schuster and is to be released on June 16, 2020.
The book is based on 100 interviews, which depicts Melania Trump, the first woman to be more influential in the White House than most people realize.

The Book titled ‘The Wizenard Series: Season One’- created by Kobe Bryant & authored by Wesley King

The book ‘The Wizenard Series: Season One’ is created by American Basket baller Kobe Bryant & authored by Wesley King tops the New York Times’ middle-grade hardcover list, which is to be released on April 19, 2020. It is published by Kobe Bryant’s Granity Studios(April 1, 2020).
The book had already topped the Amazon’s bestseller list for children’s basketball books
It states about the strain and sacrifice, supernatural breakthroughs, and supreme dedication to the game where Bryant is the series creator who envisioned the story lines
Kobe Bryant has authored a book- ‘The Mamba Mentality: How I Play’(2018) which was also a best-seller and has been on Amazon’s top lists.

Actor Jim Carrey & writer Dana Vachon authored a novel “Memoirs and Misinformation”

Canadian American comedian & actor Jim Carrey and writer Dana Vachon authored a novel “Memoirs and Misinformation” a fearless and semi-autobiographical novel about the reconstruction of personality.
It is published by Alfred A Knopf, publishing house & will be published on May 2020
The novel is a tale of acting, Hollywood, agents, celebrity, privilege, friendship, romance, addiction to relevance, fear of personal destruction, our “one big soul,”and a catastrophic ending of the world apocalypse within and without.
Jim Carrey has written a children’s fiction novel “How Roland Rolls”(2013), Disney’s A Christmas Carol (2010) among others.
Dana Vachon’s essays and journalism have appeared in The New York Times, Slate, and Vanity Fair.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

ICMR unveiled new strategy for COVID-19 testing in India

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has released a new strategy for COVID-19 testing in India, hotspots, cluster, large migration gatherings or evacuees centres.

New strategy:

The new strategy for COVID-19 testing, provided by ICMR, includes all symptomatic individuals who have undertaken international travel in the last 14 days and all symptomatic contacts of laboratory-confirmed cases.
All the symptomatic health care workers and all patients with severe acute respiratory illness like fever, cough, and shortness of breath should be tested.
Asymptomatic direct and high-risk contacts of a confirmed case should be tested once between 5th day and 14 days of coming in his or her contact.
People who are in hotspots, marked by Health and Family Welfare Ministry, with symptomatic having fever, cough, sore throat, and runny nose will undergo real-Time Reverse transcription-polymerase Chain Reaction (rRT-PCR) test within seven days of illness.
After 7 days of illness antibody test will be done if rRT-PCR confirms it negative.

Extra Shots:

ICMR:

Formed on: 1911
Headquarters: New Delhi
Secretary & Director General: Dr. Balram Bhargava
ICMR formulates, coordinates and promotes biomedical research in India. It functions under the Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MHoFW). It is funded by the Government of India.

Google to launch new virtual Braille Keyboard

Google has announced the launch of a virtual Braille keyboard for Android users with low vision or blindness.
This new keyboard will enable these people to type on their phones without additional hardware.
For the virtual Braille keyboard, Google has collaborated with braille developers and users to create it.
It also ensured that the keyboard can be used anywhere, where a user would normally type such as social media, text messaging, and email apps.
Hence, the new Braille keyboard will allow people with severe visual impairments to use their smartphones in a better way.
It will allow them to type without using additional hardware for the same.

Extra Shots:

Google LLC is an American multinational technology company that specializes in Internet-related services and products, which include online advertising technologies, search engine, cloud computing, software, and hardware.

Founded: 4 September 1998, Menlo Park, California, United States
Parent organization: Alphabet Inc.
Headquarters: Mountain View, California, United States
Subsidiaries: YouTube, Google.org, Google Nest, YouTube TV, MORE
Founders: Larry Page, Sergey Brin

OBITUARIES

Former Madhya Pradesh minister Hazarilal Raghuwanshi passes away

Former Madhya Pradesh minister Hazarilal Raghuwanshi passed away. He was a six-time MLA from Seoni-Malwa Assembly constituency, Hoshangabad and also served as a minister in various Congress-led governments in the state.
He was elected as an MLA for the first time in 1977 and he also served as a deputy speaker in the state Assembly from 2003-2008.

American folk singer John Prine passes away

American folk singer John Prine has passed away due to the COVID-19 complications.
In a career spanning over half a century, he won two Grammy awards for best contemporary folk albums “The Missing Years (1991)” and “Fair & Square (2005)”.
He was bestowed with Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and was also inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Veteran leader and Congressmen Ramkrishna Dwivedi passed away

Veteran leader and Congressmen Ramkrishna Dwivedi passed away on 10 April.
He died at the age of 87 years old. He died due to prolonged illness.
Diwedi went to jail as a student during the Quit India Movement.
Since 1989, he also headed UPCC’s disciplinary committee for 15 years and stood with the party.

Italian Olympic 800 meters finalist Donato Sabia passed away at 56

Donato Sabia, twice Olympics 800 meters finalist and the former European Indoor Champion, passed away at the age of 56 in Potenza, Italy due to Coronavirus.
He was born on September 11, 1963 in Potenzo, Italy.
Sabia finished fifth in the 800 meters at Los Angeles in 1984 and seventh in Seoul in 1988.
He won the gold medal in the same event at the European Indoor Championships in 1984.

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This post was last modified on April 12, 2020 8:35 am